6 days ago
MP pays tribute to former head coach after Middlesbrough part ways with Carrick
A Middlesbrough MP has paid tribute to Michael Carrick after the club parted ways with the head coach.
Middlesbrough announced they had 'parted company' with Carrick and two of his coaching staff - Jonathan Woodgate and Graeme Carrick - on Wednesday (June 4).
The club finished 10th in the Championship and failed to meet their pre-season target of a spot in the play-offs, having to instead watch regional rivals Sunderland get back into the big-time after winning the play-offs to be promoted to the Premier League.
But lifelong Boro fan and MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, Andy McDonald, has released a statement paying tribute to the man who led the club for three years.
He said: "Thank you to Michael Carrick for his service as Boro Head Coach.
"He had an immediate impact and led the club to the highs of the play-offs and League Cup semi-finals.
"We wish him well."
Boro said in a statement: "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."
Thank you to Michael Carrick for his service as Boro Head Coach. He had an immediate impact and led the club to the highs of the play-offs and League Cup semi finals. We wish him well.
— Andy McDonald MP for Middlesbrough & Thornaby East (@AndyMcDonaldMP) June 4, 2025
However, Mr McDonald's sentiment did not match that of The Northern Echo's sports reporter Dom Shaw, who admitted that, while the good under Carrick was 'very good', the rest left a lot to be desired.
"In simple terms, Boro have gone backwards on the pitch," he wrote.
"Last season they ended up looking up at West Brom, who lost one manager and sacked another, Blackburn, who were in a shambolic state when Boro won there in March, and Millwall and Bristol City, whose squads didn't rival Carrick's.
"What next? Well, Boro don't have a replacement lined up, but whoever comes in will be deemed a good fit for the current squad and the recruitment structure at the Riverside.
Story of Michael Carrick's Boro exit, strange outside perception & what happens next
Huge stretch of major road closed after serious one-vehicle crash
Reform UK 'Doge' team set to review council spending in County Durham
"Gone are the days of Boro having to rip it up and start again when there's a managerial change.
"It's a big job and an appealing job and Boro will undoubtedly be inundated with interest in the coming days."
"For Carrick, there was no fairytale finish."
