Middlesbrough are expected to offer Michael Carrick a new long-term deal to repel any interest from Premier League clubs, according to reports from TEAMTalk.
The 42-year-old has been linked with the West Ham job recently and the Premier League club reportedly see Carrick as the long-term successor to David Moyes, whose future remains unclear in East London.
Due to the increased interest, Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson is expected to offer Carrick a new contract. Carrick currently has 18 months left on his existing deal, which is set to expire in 2025, but Gibson is eager to keep hold of the former West Ham and Man United player for the future.
Carrick took the Middlesbrough job in October 2022, when the club were placed 21st in the Championship and the 38-year-old rejuvenated his side by leading them to a fourth place by the end of the season. Although, Boro were knocked out of the play-off semi-final following a 1-0 aggregate defeat to Coventry.
The North East side then made a poor start to the 2023/24 campaign and were winless in their opening 10 matches before a run of seven wins in their last nine Championships games. Carrick helped the club turn their fortunes around yet again as Middlesbrough now sit 10th in the table and just two points off the top six.
Ultimately, the former England international’s coaching ability has caught the eye of Premier League suitors and is well-regarded by West Ham, where Carrick made 153 appearances as a player.
However, the 42-year-old has limited Premier League management experience and his only previous tenure in the top-flight was a three-match spell as caretaker manager of Man United in November 2021 before he departed the club.
Writer’s View
Steve Gibson clearly sees Carrick as the man to lead Boro to future success and his sudden desire to start contract negotiations suggests interest in the former midfielder might be increasing.
However, with Moyes still at West Ham and no other Premier League clubs seemingly desperate to speak with Carrick, it seems unlikely that the Boro boss will depart any time soon. From Gibson’s point of view though, it may be a case of tying Carrick down now to safeguard for the future.
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