What Steve Gibson said about Michael Carrick appointment amid Middlesbrough sack threat | OneFootball

The Boro Chairman said this upon bringing Michael Carrick into management for the first time in his career

Michael Carrick is currently the longest-serving manager in the Championship, but his position may be under threat after a second successive finish outside the top six.

According to Football League World sources, Carrick is facing the threat of being sacked at the Riverside Stadium after a loss to Coventry City on the final day of the season condemned Boro to an eighth-placed finish, and subsequently a ninth successive season in the second-tier.

The former Manchester United man was brought in by owner Steve Gibson in October 2022, marking Carrick's first permanent stint as a head coach after taking charge of three games as caretaker boss at the Red Devils following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 2021 sacking.

Gibson spoke highly of Carrick upon bringing him to the club, but falling short of the desired target for two straight seasons may have the Boro chairman with an undesirable choice to make.

Michael Carrick was a "perfect fit" upon Middlesbrough arrival, according to Steve Gibson

According to Teesside Live, Middlesbrough owner Gibson was thrilled to take Carrick on board as the new manager, as he looked to implement a more forward-thinking, youth-focused vision for the club.

He said: "We're delighted to welcome Michael to the club. We had identified a number of potentials for the vacancy, and were impressed by all, but Michael was the outstanding candidate.

"Michael has the same values as the club, and we are very much aligned in our ambitions. We see Michael as the perfect fit for us, and he believes this is the right club at the right time."

Teesside Live stated that the club was looking to follow in the footsteps of a team such as Brentford, who recruited younger assets and developed academy products to "benefit the club financially by sales and replacements." But, whilst profits have been made on the likes of Djed Spence, Morgan Rogers and Emmanuel Latte Lath in recent years, Carrick hasn't finished in the top-six since his first season in charge.

Injuries and sales may have limited Carrick this season

Very few sides have consistent expectations to land in the Championship's top-six season after season, but Middlesbrough under Carrick are one of those.

The former Manchester United man is one of the more highly-rated head coaches in the division due to a dynamic attacking style, which ultimately hasn't clicked this season.

This is mainly due to the season-ending injury suffered by exciting winger Ben Doak and the record £22.5 million sale of Latte Lath, both occurring towards the end of January.

January replacements such as Kelechi Iheanacho and Morgan Whittaker have failed to impress and, almost consequently, Finn Azaz, who was instrumental to Boro's attacking output at the start of the season, recorded just four goals and two assists in 2025.

Injuries weren't just limited to Doak, though, as Carrick has been forced to be experimental with his back line all throughout the season.

Neto Borges and Anfernee Djiksteel were the only recognised defenders to play over 30 league games this season for Middlesbrough, with the likes of Jonny Howson and Samuel Illing-Junior being drafted into the defence at times too.

Ultimately, there's no doubt that Middlesbrough are one of the top sides in the division when fully fit, but a struggle to manage the various setbacks this season may spell the end for Carrick at the Riverside.