Middlesbrough have announced Michael Carrick as their new boss, with the Manchester United legend accepting his first job in management.
The ex-midfielder, 41, was unattached after leaving Old Trafford 10 months ago. He succeeds Chris Wilder, the former Sheffield United manager, at the Riverside and faces a daunting challenge. The Teesside club are currently 21st in the Championship.
Chairman Steve Gibson said: "We’re delighted to welcome Michael to the club. 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 himself added: "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."
Middlesbrough were among the pre-season favourites to achieve promotion to the Premier League this term but have lost seven of their first 16 league games to sit just above the drop zone. Wilder, who was hired last November, was dismissed earlier this month.
Do you think Michael Carrick will keep Middlesbrough in the Championship? Let us know in the comments below!
Carrick arrives at the Riverside with limited managerial experience. He joined Jose Mourinho's backroom staff at United following his retirement from playing in 2018 and later worked under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before he was dismissed last November.
Carrick was appointed United's caretaker manager following Solskjaer's dismissal and took charge of three games, achieving wins against Villarreal and Arsenal, as well as a draw against Chelsea. He stepped down after the arrival of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager.
Although Carrick lacks managerial experience, he worked under some top coaches as a player - such as Harry Redknapp, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Sir Alex Ferguson. He also won 19 trophies, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Carrick was initially not expected to take the Middlesbrough job amid rumours he was not happy with his backroom staff and involvement in transfer activity. It's believed he first spoke to Boro about the then vacant position earlier this month.
Carrick was linked with the vacant position at Lincoln before they appointed Mark Kennedy in the summer. Speaking after his time in charge of United, he said: "It certainly hasn't put me off but, at the same time, I'm not desperate to become a manager.
"I'm realistic. The experience has definitely helped me from the lows and sadness, the first feelings of Ole leaving, having to adapt and get through the games.
"It has been a challenge but one I have enjoyed. You are never sure until you are put in a certain role what you might be good at or not good at. That's life experience. You've got to go through it to learn from it. I've certainly learned a lot this week."
