Ex-Man Utd star SACKED by Championship club after falling short of play-offs for second consecutive year

Middlesbrough have confirmed that Carrick has been sacked, after a 10th-placed finish in the Championship. The ex-United midfielder was appointed in 2022 but has overseen two consecutive seasons in which the Riverside club have failed to make the play-offs. In 2023-24, they finished eighth, four points behind the final play-off place, and in 2024-25, they were again four points off the pace.

Carrick guided Boro to just one win in their final six games. In his first campaign, the club finished fourth, but they lost to Coventry City in the play-off semi-finals. Along with the ex-England midfielder, Jonathan Woodgate, the former Tottenham and Real Madrid defender, has also left the club, having worked as his assistant.

Middlesbrough's statement read: "Middlesbrough Football Club has today parted company with head coach Michael Carrick.

"Michael's assistants Jonathan Woodgate and Graeme Carrick have also departed the club. We'd like to thank Michael, Jonathan, and Graeme for all their hard work and unwavering commitment. We wish them all the very best for the future. The club will be making no further comment at this stage."

Reports suggest that Middlesbrough could now move for former Luton Town boss Rob Edwards to replace Carrick.