Frank Lampard issues Middlesbrough & Michael Carrick claim after play-off heartbreak | OneFootball

Frank Lampard has voiced his opinions on Michael Carrick following Middlesbrough’s disappointing end to the Championship season

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard believes that Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick will bounce back from the disappointment of the Teessiders not finishing in the Championship play-off spots, with the ex-England international under increasing pressure from the club's fans.

Lampard and Carrick’s relationship stretches back decades, from their formative years at West Ham to years as Premier League rivals and England teammates.

That shared history was evident as Lampard, now Coventry City manager, spoke with clear respect after his side’s 2-0 win over Boro sealed a play-off place at Middlesbrough’s expense.

Middlesbrough’s season has been marked by frustration. Despite significant investment and high expectations, Boro finished tenth, recording their second-lowest Championship points total in the past decade.

With pressure mounting and questions swirling about Carrick’s future, Lampard was keen to stress that outside observers rarely see the full picture.

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard backs Michael Carrick to turn Middlesbrough around in 2025-26

The former Chelsea and Derby manager’s words serve as a timely reminder that football management is rarely black and white. Injuries, squad changes, and the relentless nature of the Championship can all conspire against even the best-laid plans.

Lampard said, as per TeessideLive: "I’ve got absolute respect for Michael. He’s a really smart man, and a gentleman. He’s a standout gentleman in the game.

"I hate to talk too much about other managers because I understand that there’s always context there that I have absolutely no idea about. I’m sure Michael knows what’s going on.

"He’ll know the reasons for that first season when he flew up the league. He’ll know the things he affected and the things that went in his favour. We’ve all got that.

"Then he’ll also have a good idea and a good thinking about what maybe didn’t go right this season to not make the play-offs. There’s always context and background things behind that, but I don’t know what they are.

"It might be injuries, it could be the squad, it could be this, it could be that. I wouldn’t want to say too much on that, other than that Michael Carrick is a really, really good coach. He’s a top man."

Lampard’s words echo the deep mutual respect between the two managers, both of whom have experienced the highs and lows of English football at the very top level. He praised Carrick’s composure and professionalism, highlighting his calmness and integrity on and off the pitch.

Michael Carrick faces anxious wait over Middlesbrough job amid play-off collapse

Coventry, who were languishing in 17th place when Lampard took charge in November, capped their remarkable rise by climbing to fifth, setting up a semi-final showdown with Sunderland.

In front of a record crowd at the CBS Arena, Lampard’s Sky Blues delivered when it mattered most, with Jack Rudoni’s brace sealing a play-off berth and ending Boro’s slim hopes of a top six finish.

For Carrick, the challenge now is to regroup and look ahead to next season, knowing he has the backing of respected peers like Lampard - that is if he's allowed the chance to carry on his job.

Carrick has been at Boro now for two-and-a-half years, and with the squad he had at his disposal, many expected a top six finish for the Teessiders - just one win from their last six matches though saw them fall away from contention, and a run of five losses on the spin in January and February didn't help matters either.