Three weeks after Middlesbrough fired former Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder, Michael Carrick has taken over as the club’s head coach at Riverside.
Following the conclusion of his playing career at Old Trafford, Carrick worked as a first-team coach at Manchester United under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. This is his first attempt into management. Nevertheless, he did lead the Red Devils for three matches on an interim basis after Solskjaer’s departure in November.
Carrick was widely praised throughout his three-year tenure as Manchester United’s assistant coach, which he began under Mourinho as soon as he announced his retirement from playing.
Many Manchester United players praised Carrick’s coaching and his impact on the team, and even though his interim managerial role only lasted three games, it seemed to show in three significantly improved performances—against Villareal, Chelsea, and Arsenal, that were well-praised. His lack of management experience means that there is little to draw on in terms of insight into the type of manager that Middlesbrough is appointing.
He has been out of the game since leaving Manchester United last December at the end of his tenure in command. But since his playing retirement and transition into coaching in 2018, there has been a tonne of interviews and soundbites from the man himself. It was widely assumed that Carrick’s decision to resign from his position at Manchester United after a victory over Arsenal, was motivated by a desire to manage his own team after having won many admirers during that two-week stint.
Carrick acknowledged that he enjoyed his time as the main man and seemed to rise to the challenge, but he also admitted that he had declined a few offers during the past ten months.
As reported by the club’s official website, the former United midfielder said:
“I’m really excited to be here and part of a club with such a deep history and tradition. Middlesbrough was the first professional club I played for as a boy so it’s a very special feeling to be back here as a head coach.”
“With growing up in the north-east myself, I’m fully aware of what football means to people. It’s a real privilege for me to be in this position and to feel all the passion and enthusiasm you’ve got for the game.”
“I’ll give everything to help develop the team and keep moving the club forward and make you supporters proud. I can’t wait to get started.”
Carrick will aim to develop consistency and a winning mindset at Middlesbrough. All Manchester United players during Carrick’s playing career required this mindset because of the extremely high standards set by their then-manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
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The former defensive midfielder will be fully aware of the size of the challenge at hand in Teesside as well. Middlesbrough is only one position and one point above the Championship relegation zone.
The club needs results, and he is aware that the fans will also expect them.
