Middlesbrough plot Kieran Scott action as club keep eye on Rob Edwards | OneFootball

Middlesbrough are keen to tie down their Sporting Director Kieran Scott, and this could spell trouble for under-fire manager Michael Carrick.

Middlesbrough are keen to tie down their sporting director Kieran Scott, a decision which could increase the pressure under manager Michael Carrick.

Middlesbrough are keen to extend sporting director Kieran Scott’s contract as part of their end-of-season review, a decision which could turn the heat up under under-fire manager Michael Carrick.

Boro finished last season in the Championship in 10th place, their lowest League position since the 2019/20 season. Carrick has been their manager since 2022, but has come in for criticism this season, to the point that club chairman Steve Gibson had to issue a vote of confidence in him in February.

Tying down Scott could be bad news for Michael Carrick

Journalist Alan Nixon has reported that Middlesbrough are ready to extend sporting director Kieran Scott’s contract in an end of season review.

But this decision might not be good news for manager Michael Carrick, who has been under pressure since his team fell out of the Championship play-off places towards the end of the season.

Nixon adds that Rob Edwards could be considered by chairman Steve Gibson as a replacement for Carrick, he's supposedly got admirers at the Riverside Stadium.

Kieran Scott has admirers in high places

Although Middlesbrough have enjoyed only one season of Premier League football since 2011, Scott retains admirers in high places.

As recently as March 2025, he was under consideration for the sporting director's position at Crystal Palace following the departure of Dougie Freedman.

He was appointed as Middlesbrough's Head of Football in 2021, after arriving from Norwich City. He was successful there, overseeing the arrival of players such as Emi Buendia and Teemu Pukki at the club.

It was the first time that Boro had employed someone in this position, and although the club have not been able to get back into the top flight since his arrival, his time with the club is considered a success.

Rob Edwards could be a good fit for Middlesbrough

Former Watford and Luton Town manager Rob Edwards is already familiar to Middlesbrough, having been interviewed for the vacant managerial position there at the time that Michael Carrick was appointed in October 2022.

He took Luton to promotion into the Premier League in 2023, after having been fired by their rivals earlier in the season and taking up the job at Kenilworth Road.

He was unable to keep the Hatters in the Premier League and was sacked in January 2025, with them 20th in the Championship, but Luton were relegated at the end of the season regardless.

This is a potential issue for Carrick because Edwards is already familiar with Kieran Scott from having worked together at Wolverhampton Wanderers, when Scott was part of the recruitment set-up while Edwards was coaching in their academy.

Alex Neil is also already familiar with Scott from their time together at Norwich. His return to management after a year out at Millwall was extremely successful, with his team almost securing a place in the Championship play-offs against all odds.

If Middlesbrough are to make changes in personnel and Michael Carrick's job is at risk, Middlesbrough won't be short of options, and no small part of that is down to Kieran Scott's connections.