Middlesbrough part ways with manager Carrick
Middlesbrough have sacked head coach Michael Carrick, the second-tier Championship club said on Wednesday after a disappointing season in which they missed out on a spot in the promotion playoffs.
Former Manchester United and England player Carrick took charge of Middlesbrough in 2022 and guided them to a fourth-placed finish and the playoffs in his first season, but the club have finished 8th and 10th in their past two campaigns.
"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," the club said in a statement.
Carrick made more than 700 club appearances in his career and won five Premier League titles and the Champions League at United under Alex Ferguson.
His first stint in management came during an interim spell at United following the sacking of Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021. REUTERS
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Straits Times
43 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Tottenham sack Ange Postecoglou, with Thomas Frank in the frame to replace him
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has been sacked 16 days after helping the club win the Europa League. PHOTO: AFP Tottenham sack Ange Postecoglou, with Thomas Frank in the frame to replace him – The axe has fallen on Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou, despite the Australian guiding the club to their first major trophy in 17 years with victory in the Europa League final in May. In a statement on June 6, Tottenham said the 59-year-old has been 'relieved of his duties' following a performance review after a poor Premier League season in which they finished 17th. 'The board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the club for a change to take place,' Spurs added in the statement. 'Following a positive start in the 2023-24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. 'This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. 'At times there were extenuating circumstances – injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph.' The club added that they are 'extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the club' and he 'will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy'. Sky Sports reported that Brentford boss Thomas Frank is the leading contender to succeed Postecoglou. The 51-year-old Dane, who guided the Bees to 10th in last season's EPL, has a release clause in his contract, although negotiations have yet to take place. Postecoglou, who delivered on his promise of always winning trophies in his second season, will leave two years after his appointment and just 16 days after leading Spurs to the Europa League title. They beat Manchester United in the final in Bilbao, which helped them book their place in next season's Champions League. Following his dismissal, Postecoglou issued a statement via his agency CAA Base, saying: 'When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham, my overriding emotion is one of pride. 'The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. 'Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. 'That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream.' He also said that foundations laid at the club means they 'should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success'. 'There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible,' Postecoglou added. 'I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them.' Former England striker Chris Sutton told the BBC that it is 'absolute bonkers' for Spurs to sack the man who just ended their trophy drought. 'I'm not a Tottenham fan but, from the outside, the reason Ange Postecoglou was employed was because they wanted to win a trophy and, if they couldn't do that, they wanted to watch an entertaining team – and I think he has ticked both boxes, he said. 'I am not saying it has been brilliant this season because I understand the Premier League has been a disappointment – but he has won a major European trophy and that is a huge achievement – their first trophy since the 2008 League Cup and their first European trophy since the Uefa Cup in 1984. 'He has done something no other manager has done there in 41 years, since Keith Burkinshaw. 'To get someone in who wins them silverware, then straightaway get rid of him, that sums up modern football, doesn't it? It's absolute bonkers.' REUTERS, AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Postecoglou changed Spurs narrative, but trophy too little too late
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa League - Final - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - San Mames, Bilbao, Spain - May 21, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou with his players ahead of the trophy lift after winning the Europa League Final REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo Postecoglou changed Spurs narrative, but trophy too little too late LONDON - Ange Postecoglou will walk away from Tottenham Hotspur with his pride and his reputation intact and his place in the club's heritage assured after a two-year stint in north London. Ending the club's 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League made sure of that. The Australian delivered on his claim of always winning a trophy in his second season at a club, but few could have envisaged the circumstances in which it happened. From the ruins of a nightmarish Premier League season, Tottenham ground out a backs-to-the-wall victory against one of the worst Manchester United sides in decades with a display at odds with the club's 'to dare is to do' motto. Earlier in the season, after Tottenham beat United 4-3 in a rollercoaster League Cup quarter-final, Postecoglou railed against studio pundits who criticised his expansive style. "Are you not entertained?! What do you want? Do you want a scrambly 1-0? The studio's probably going into meltdown over my lack of tactics but I love the fact we go out there and take it to opposition," he bristled. A few months later, Tottenham did just that, beating United 1-0 with a messy goal and a second half display in which they had 19% of the ball and barely crossed the halfway line. Postecoglou had only to point to the euphoric scenes in the stadium to answer those who sneered at Tottenham's glory night. In a parallel universe it could have heralded the ignition point for a Postecoglou dynasty at Tottenham, just as Manchester United's 1989 FA Cup win did for Alex Ferguson. Instead, it just marked the end of another brief chapter in the club's history, albeit a memorable one, as he became the fifth full-time manager to be sacked in little over five years. When Postecoglou arrived in 2023 with his swashbuckling 'Ange-Ball' style he seemed the perfect fit for a club worn down by the joyless reigns of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. Twenty six points from his opening 10 Premier League games in the 2023-24 season was more than any other manager in his first season in the competition, eclipsing the likes of serial title winners like Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. It was Tottenham's best start to a top-flight season since their last title-winning campaign in 1960-61. Then the wheels fell off. His 11th game, at home to Chelsea, offered an early clue as to what would become his eventual downfall. The mood was ecstatic as Spurs scored early but then they suffered two big injuries and were reduced to nine men by the 55th minute when Destiny Udogie joined Cristian Romero in receiving a rash red card. Even two players down, and with the score at 1-1, Postecoglou insisted his team play a high defensive line and go for goals and, while it was compelling viewing, they eventually subsided to a chaotic 4-1 defeat. That loyalty to his attacking philosophy was admirable and earned him staunch support amongst the club's fans, but it also exposed a lack of tactical pragmatism. Tottenham limped to fifth in Postecoglou's first term, securing continental football in the Europa League, and there were high hopes that his second season would see him mould a team capable of mounting a title challenge. Instead, Tottenham endured their worst top-flight season since they were relegated in 1977, ending in 17th place with 22 defeats and 65 goals conceded. There were mitigating circumstances. A chronic injury list took out central defenders Romero and Micky van de Ven, strikers Dominic Solanke and Richarlison and keeper Guglielmo Vicario for long periods and with no danger of relegation he put all his eggs in the Europa League basket. He will also argue that the likes of Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Mikey Moore promise a bright future. Sadly, he will not be the one to benefit with chairman Daniel Levy deciding that the Europa League triumph was the anomaly, rather than the 22 league defeats. SOFT UNDERBELLY The biggest criticism of Postecoglou was that his insistence on high defensive lines and playing out from the back, even when the players obviously could not execute it, exposed the team's soft underbelly and made them easy to beat. Relegated clubs Leicester City and Ipswich Town both beat Tottenham whose only league win in their last 12 games was against woeful bottom club Southampton. Yet set against their Premier League slide, Postecoglou conjured a parting gift for the long-suffering fans and they do not care how it was achieved. He leaves having changed the narrative around the club but whether the it can seize the moment and build a sustained challenge for regular silverware remains to be seen. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Postecoglou changed Spurs narrative, but trophy too little too late
LONDON :Ange Postecoglou will walk away from Tottenham Hotspur with his pride and his reputation intact and his place in the club's heritage assured after a two-year stint in north London. Ending the club's 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League made sure of that. The Australian delivered on his claim of always winning a trophy in his second season at a club, but few could have envisaged the circumstances in which it happened. From the ruins of a nightmarish Premier League season, Tottenham ground out a backs-to-the-wall victory against one of the worst Manchester United sides in decades with a display at odds with the club's 'to dare is to do' motto. Earlier in the season, after Tottenham beat United 4-3 in a rollercoaster League Cup quarter-final, Postecoglou railed against studio pundits who criticised his expansive style. "Are you not entertained?! What do you want? Do you want a scrambly 1-0? The studio's probably going into meltdown over my lack of tactics but I love the fact we go out there and take it to opposition," he bristled. A few months later, Tottenham did just that, beating United 1-0 with a messy goal and a second half display in which they had 19 per cent of the ball and barely crossed the halfway line. Postecoglou had only to point to the euphoric scenes in the stadium to answer those who sneered at Tottenham's glory night. In a parallel universe it could have heralded the ignition point for a Postecoglou dynasty at Tottenham, just as Manchester United's 1989 FA Cup win did for Alex Ferguson. Instead, it just marked the end of another brief chapter in the club's history, albeit a memorable one, as he became the fifth full-time manager to be sacked in little over five years. When Postecoglou arrived in 2023 with his swashbuckling 'Ange-Ball' style he seemed the perfect fit for a club worn down by the joyless reigns of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. Twenty six points from his opening 10 Premier League games in the 2023-24 season was more than any other manager in his first season in the competition, eclipsing the likes of serial title winners like Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. It was Tottenham's best start to a top-flight season since their last title-winning campaign in 1960-61. Then the wheels fell off. His 11th game, at home to Chelsea, offered an early clue as to what would become his eventual downfall. The mood was ecstatic as Spurs scored early but then they suffered two big injuries and were reduced to nine men by the 55th minute when Destiny Udogie joined Cristian Romero in receiving a rash red card. Even two players down, and with the score at 1-1, Postecoglou insisted his team play a high defensive line and go for goals and, while it was compelling viewing, they eventually subsided to a chaotic 4-1 defeat. That loyalty to his attacking philosophy was admirable and earned him staunch support amongst the club's fans, but it also exposed a lack of tactical pragmatism. Tottenham limped to fifth in Postecoglou's first term, securing continental football in the Europa League, and there were high hopes that his second season would see him mould a team capable of mounting a title challenge. Instead, Tottenham endured their worst top-flight season since they were relegated in 1977, ending in 17th place with 22 defeats and 65 goals conceded. There were mitigating circumstances. A chronic injury list took out central defenders Romero and Micky van de Ven, strikers Dominic Solanke and Richarlison and keeper Guglielmo Vicario for long periods and with no danger of relegation he put all his eggs in the Europa League basket. He will also argue that the likes of Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Mikey Moore promise a bright future. Sadly, he will not be the one to benefit with chairman Daniel Levy deciding that the Europa League triumph was the anomaly, rather than the 22 league defeats. SOFT UNDERBELLY The biggest criticism of Postecoglou was that his insistence on high defensive lines and playing out from the back, even when the players obviously could not execute it, exposed the team's soft underbelly and made them easy to beat. Relegated clubs Leicester City and Ipswich Town both beat Tottenham whose only league win in their last 12 games was against woeful bottom club Southampton. Yet set against their Premier League slide, Postecoglou conjured a parting gift for the long-suffering fans and they do not care how it was achieved. He leaves having changed the narrative around the club but whether the it can seize the moment and build a sustained challenge for regular silverware remains to be seen.