Michael Carrick: Middlesbrough appoint ex Man Utd player as head coach - is Jonathan Woodgate returning?

Former Manchester United player has landed first managerial role with Championship side Middlesbrough
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The former Manchester United player Michael Carrick has been appointed Middlesbrough FC’s new head coach despite previously saying he did not believe now was the right time to return to football. The 41-year-old has however reversed his decision following a positive second round of talks and is now “really excited” to be back in the north east. This will mark his first role since leaving the Red Devils in 2021.

Carrick will be joined by former Boro player Jonathan Woodgate who will also be making his return to the side. Woodgate has previously been the club’s head coach as well as having roles in Boro’s youth sides. It has also been confirmed by the Teeside club that Leo Percovich, the interim head coach, will take up a role as the club’s head of player pathway and development.

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Middlesbrough have been without a manager since they sacked Chris Wilder on 3 October following just two wins in their opening 11 league games this season. The side found themselves 22nd in the table at the time of his dismissal and are now 21st with their last win coming last Wednesday with a 4-1 win over Wigan.

Michael Carrick with United in 2013Michael Carrick with United in 2013
Michael Carrick with United in 2013

What has been said about Carrick’s appointment?

In a statement which confirmed the appointment of the Manchester United icon, Carrick said: “I’m really excited to be here and to be part of a club with such a deep history and tradition. 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.”

The Boro chairman Steve Gibson said: “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.”

Who are Michael Carrick and Jonathan Woodgate?

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Carrick, 41, is one of the most decorated English footballers and is best known for a 12-year stint at Manchester United, during which time he also captained the side. His career started with West Ham in 1999 before he moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2004 for a fee of £3.5m. After 64 league appearances in two years, Carrick moved to United for around £14m.

Along with Wayne Rooney, he is the only English player to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, League Cup, FA Community Shield, UEFA Europa League and FIFA Club World Cup. United’s 2016 FA Cup win completed Carrick’s collection of every domestic honour in English football.

Following his retirement from the game, he returned to United in a coaching capacity and was named caretaker manager following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure. In his three games in charge, Carrick won two and drew the third.

Born in Nunthorpe, Woodgate had had three stints at his home side but spent his early years at Leeds United. The centre-back also spent time at Newcastle, Real Madrid, Tottenham and Stoke before joining Boro once again as their manager. Woodgate was sacked following a poor record which included just nine wins in his 41 games in charge. The former international then spent time with AFC Bournemouth, guiding them to the 2021 playoffs but left upon his contract’s end in June 2021.

The pair’s first game in charge will be against Hull City on Tuesday 1 November 2022.

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