Middlesbrough sack Michael Carrick after failing to reach Premier League

Michael Carrick's tenure as Middlesbrough manager has concluded after two and a half years, with the club confirming his dismissal. Despite owner Steve Gibson's appreciation for the former England and Manchester United midfielder, Carrick's inability to guide the team out of the Championship ultimately led to the end of his first managerial posting.

Carrick notably led Boro to the playoff semi-finals in 2023, but the team subsequently missed out on top-six finishes in the last two seasons. His departure makes him the 17th Championship manager to lose their job since last August. While Middlesbrough often exhibited attractive football, their struggle to convert possession into crucial points, coupled with a perceived lack of timely substitutions, frustrated fans long before the team finished 10th last month.

Carrick may, in hindsight, reflect on his adherence to a passing philosophy when greater tactical adaptability might have served him better. However, he faced mitigating circumstances, including the loss of key striker Emmanuel Latte Lath to Atlanta and a season-ending injury to winger Ben Doak in January.

Despite Carrick's desire to continue leading the club, a post-season review by the hierarchy led to an alternative conclusion. Owner Steve Gibson and head of football Kieran Scott now face the task of finding a successor capable of ending Middlesbrough's decade-long absence from the Premier League.

The club, with its impressive infrastructure and seemingly strong squad, is expected to attract numerous applications. Potential contenders for the role could include Sheffield Wednesday's Danny Röhl, former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper, ex-Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil, and former Burnley and Everton manager Sean Dyche.