Three months ago, Middlesbrough was in a world of trouble. The team sat low down in the Championship table, and was looking like another wasted season was to pass by. Suddenly, with the appointment of Michael Carrick as head coach, Middlesbrough has shot up to Premier League contention with a string of wins. We look at how Carrick has orchestrated such a turnaround, and what the future holds for Middlesbrough.
Michael Carrick Sparks Transformation at Middlesbrough
When Michael Carrick took over as head coach of Middlesbrough, they were 23rd on the Championship table. Prior to Carrick’s arrival, Middlesbrough was being overseen by Leo Percovich in a caretaker role. The side was struggling, and manager Chris Wilder had been sacked after the side dipped into the relegation zone. Under Carrick, however, Middlesbrough has won 22 points, seeing them shoot 17 places up the ladder to now sit in fifth. With Middlesbrough not having been in the Premier League since 2017, the prospect of being in the big league will be incredibly tantalising for the club’s fans.
Those interested in placing a bet on Middlesbrough to go the whole way can head to Betting.com and read the review of BetUK, which is one of the best places to bet on football. The recent rise of the team up the ladder has seen them rocket to 10/3 in the betting odds to win the Championship this year.
What Carrick Has to Say About His Time at Middlesbrough So Far
So far, head coach Michael Carrick has been reserved with his comments to the media about Middlesbrough’s chances of promotion. Recently, he had this to say, “It’s obviously nice to be in a position where we’ve won some games and the boys are playing with momentum. They’re playing with confidence, which is great to see. I certainly feel we’re in a good moment right now.”
Carrick went on to outline that there’s a strong feeling of positivity and high morale in the Middlesbrough camp currently, stating “There was always that hope that we could get things going. We’re not getting carried away by any means. We’re about halfway through the season so there is loads still to play for.”
Who is Michael Carrick?
For those unfamiliar with Michael Carrick, he’s one of the most decorated English football players. The 41-year-old played for Manchester United for 12 years, after which he spent some time coaching and briefly managing the club as well. During this time, he worked alongside Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, producing two wins and a draw when he stepped into a caretaker role.
With five Premier League titles, and Champions League trophy, and a Europa League title, Michael Carrick certainly knows how to win when he’s on the field. Now, he’s returned to the first professional club that he played for when he was only nine years old, and is attempting to guide his team to a win from the sidelines this time.
