Middlesbrough are likely to see some new faces on the pitch following the summer transfer window but there is also set to be a change to the coaching staff, according to the latest reports.
Boro finished in eighth place this term in Michael Carrick’s first full season in charge which may have been a disappointment for the club following a play-off push in the previous campaign. The Teesside outfit ended the season four points below the top six but had some promising form towards the back end of 2023/24.
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Nevertheless, the league was much stronger this time around than last season due to the inclusion of Leicester City, Southampton and Leeds United, all of whom had the added financial support of parachute payments following their relegation from the Premier League last year. Furthermore, the rapid and unprecedented rise of Ipswich Town made it extremely difficult for clubs to compete for the top six.
Middlesbrough will be keen to make some new additions this summer to bolster the squad in the hopes of challenging for a return to the promised land next term. It has been reported this week that the centre of the park is a priority for Carrick and the board.
However, Carrick will also be forced to find a new assistant coach before the 2024/25 season commences. It has been revealed by Teesside Live today that one of the manager’s right-hand men, Aaron Danks, is close to joining his former boss Vincent Kompany at Bayern Munich.
The Manchester City legend has just been announced as the new manager of the Bundesliga giants, leaving Burnley after the club were relegated from the top-flight. His assistants at Turf Moor, Craig Bellamy and Michael Jackson, will not be joining him in Bavaria. Instead, he is keen to take Danks with him and a compensation package is currently being negotiated between Middlesbrough and Bayern.
Writer’s View
This is a big blow to Carrick before the new season begins. Danks is a highly-rated coach who worked at the likes of Anderlecht in Belgium, Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa before moving to the Riverside Stadium in December 2022.
Unfortunately for Carrick and Middlesbrough, going to Bayern Munich is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and is certainly not one that Danks will want to pass up, otherwise it may never crop up again. Boro likely won’t want to stand in his way either.
Deputy Head of Writing
