Lincoln City have appointed former Premier League winger Mark Kennedy as their new manager after reportedly overlooking Michael Carrick for the role.
The League One outfit were on the hunt for their next boss after Michael Appleton stepped down from his position earlier this month. Lincoln - who lost last season's League One play-off final 2-1 to Blackpool at Wembley - finished 17th in the table this term.
Carrick was part of Jose Mourinho's and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's coaching staff at Manchester United before quitting the club when Ralf Rangnick became interim boss in December. The 40-year-old was the Red Devils' caretaker manager for three games before the German's arrival, winning two and drawing one.
According to the Daily Mail, Carrick was being considered for the vacant role at Lincoln. It's believed he was interested, yet the EFL outfit have appointed Kennedy instead. The 45-year-old has left his role as Birmingham City's assistant boss to take the job.
Kennedy, who won 34 senior caps for the Republic of Ireland, represented Liverpool, Wimbledon, Manchester City and Wolves in the Premier League. He made more than 500 professional appearances during a 20-year professional career.
“Over the course of many hours of interviews, we have been hugely impressed by Mark’s knowledge, energy, drive and passion," said Lincoln chairman Clive Nates. "We know that he is a highly respected coach, and in the interview process, he impressed us with his desire to improve and develop players while creating an aggressive, attacking style of play that we believe will be successful in League One and excite our fans."
Will Michael Carrick become a successful manager? Let us know in the comments below!
Carrick is still looking for his next role in football after leaving United. Speaking to The Independent in October 2018, he revealed his ambition to become a manager. "I'm not blase to think I'm going to be a manager, you know," said the ex-midfielder.
"I'm starting out now, bottom rung of the ladder really, albeit the manager Jose's given me an unbelievable opportunity to be at United now. But I think it's a step by step, I'm not getting carried away. But of course, it's like when you set out to be a footballer.
"You set out to be a footballer, when you're young, and you think I'd love to do that. There's plenty of things along the way that could change that, and it's the same thing now with being a manager, it's time will tell how it goes."
Carrick is one of the most decorated footballers on his generation, winning 17 trophies at United - including five Premier League titles, two League Cups, the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and Club World Cup. He won 34 senior caps for England.
Speaking after his three-game spell in charge of United, Carrick 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."
