Michael Carrick appointed new Middlesbrough head coach LIVE: Updates as arrival confirmed

Craig Johns’ thoughts on the Carrick appointment

Our Boro writer says:

It’s been the worst-kept secret for over a week now, but finally we have confirmation that Michael Carrick is Middlesbrough head coach. Put particular emphasis on that title, because it’s interesting he is head coach and not manager.

Given the desire to pick the right man for the job in the long-term, Boro understandably oversaw an incredibly detailed process to find Chris Wilder’s successor and it led to Leo Percovich managing five games in total during his time in caretaker charge.

But having settled on Carrick, it feels like an important step now to get him in the door so that period of uncertainty is over and everyone connected with the club – from players, staff and most importantly fans – can start to look ahead.

While not knowing all of the dozen or so candidates that Boro interviewed for the post, of the ones that were very publicly known, Carrick does feel like both a fit in terms of the club’s vision and ethos, and also exciting in terms of enthusing the fanbase given his name and star power following his excellent playing career.

The proof will be in the pudding though, and now the task for Carrick is quickly putting his own stamp on the team and building Boro to get results and start climbing that Championship table after a really disappointing start to the season.