Former Manchester United Midfielder Michael Carrick Named New Middlesbrough Head Coach

Middlesbrough have appointed former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick as their new head coach.

The 41-year-old is taking over with Middlesbrough 21st in the EFL Championship.

Middlesbrough fired Chris Wilder earlier this month but Carrick will be assisted at the Riverside Stadium by another former Boro boss.

Jonathan Woodgate, who was in charge of Boro between 2019 and 2020, is returning to the club to serve as Carrick's first team coach.

"We're delighted to welcome Michael to the club," Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson told the club's official website.

"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."

Carrick added: "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."

This will be Carrick's first permanent role in soccer management.

But he served as United's caretaker manager for three games late last year following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Carrick was unbeaten as United caretaker, after delivering wins over Villarreal and Arsenal, as well as a draw at Chelsea.

Michael Carrick pictured waving to fans at Old Trafford after overseeing a 3-2 win over Arsenal as Manchester United caretaker manager in December 2021

IMAGO/Sportimage/Andrew Yates

He left Old Trafford in December after spending more than 15 years at United.

Carrick first joined United in 2006 as a player. After making 464 appearances for the club, he retired as a player in 2018 when he joined the first-team coaching staff.

He worked under Jose Mourinho as well as Solskjaer.