Middlesbrough sack former Man United manager Carrick

Middlesbrough have sacked former Manchester United interim manager, Michael Carrick after two-and-a-half years in charge as their head coach .

The former England midfielder, 43, took over at the Championship side in October 2022 for his first role in management.

He guided the team to a play-off finish in 2022-23 but they have missed out on the top six in the past two campaigns.

Carrick's assistants Jonathan Woodgate and his brother Graeme Carrick have also left the club.

Boro spent much of the 2024-25 season challenging for a play-off spot but one win in their final six matches proved to be costly.

They stayed in the hunt for a top-six place until the final game of the season but defeat at Coventry saw them finish 10th.

His departure means that 17 of last season's 24 Championship teams have changed manager since August last year.

Carrick started his coaching career with Manchester United, with whom he won five Premier League titles in his playing days, after retiring in 2018.

He had a spell in caretaker charge of the team in November 2021 after the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but left when Ralf Rangnick was appointed in December.

Boro turned to him in October the following year after a disastrous start to the season saw them sack Chris Wilder with the club in the relegation zone.

Carrick immediately turned their fortunes around as they flew up the table and into promotion contention.

They ultimately finished fourth for a first play-off campaign in five years but were beaten by Coventry in the semi-finals.

They fell just short of another Premier League push in the following season, as they finished eighth, four points off sixth.

Last season was similar as they headed into the final six games in the play-off spots but came up short in the end.