MANCHESTER UNITED legend Michael Carrick has been confirmed as Middlesbrough’s new boss.
The 41-year-old has been appointed on a long-term deal at The Riverside as he begins his first role in management.
Carrick had been in advanced talks with the Championship club for weeks over replacing Chris Wilder.
Negotiations stalled over the make-up of the ex-United star’s backroom team, but those issues have now been resolved.
Boro legend and former boss Jonathan Woodgate has joined as first-team coach, with a further appointment set to be made.
Carrick said: “I’m really excited to be here and to be part of a club with such a deep history and tradition.
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“Middlesbrough was the first professional club I played for as a nine-year old boy, so it’s a very special feeling to be back here as a head coach.
“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 and for Boro.
“I’ll give everything to help develop the team and keep moving the club forward and make you the supporters proud. I can’t wait to get started.”
Boro chairman Steve Gibson added: “We’re delighted to welcome Michael to the club.
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“We had identified a number of potentials for the vacancy who we spoke with, and were impressed by all, but Michael was the outstanding candidate.
“Michael has the same values as the club, and we are very much aligned in our ambitions.
“We see Michael as the perfect fit for us and he believes this is the right club at the right time.”
Former England international Carrick won the Premier League five times and the Champions League during his Old Trafford playing career.
He initially joined United’s coaching staff under Jose Mourinho.
He was then part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom team before then getting a brief taste of management himself after the Norwegian was axed in November 2021.
Newcastle-born Carrick had a three-game stint as caretaker.
He led United to two wins and then a draw against Chelsea but left after Ralf Rangnick’s arrival.
Now he is tasked with transforming struggling Boro’s fortunes after a dire start to the Championship campaign left them fourth-bottom.
Middlesbrough have only won four of their 16 games but thumped Wigan 4-1 away from home on Wednesday.
They followed that up with a 0-0 draw against Huddersfield on Saturday.
Leo Percovich, a coach at the club under Aitor Karanka, Jonathan Woodgate, Neil Warnock and then Wilder, was placed in temporary charge following Wilder’s dismissal.
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He has now been made Head of Player Pathway and Development.
Meanwhile, Carrick will be hoping to kick-off his reign with a win when Boro travel to Preston this weekend.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
