"Definitely going to be interest" - Middlesbrough concern raised amid Michael Carrick, West Ham talk | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit has given his reaction to reports linking head coach Michael Carrick with a move to West Ham United.

This article is part of Football League World’s 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick has been linked with a move to West Ham United.

According to the Mirror, Carrick is on West Ham's shortlist of potential replacements for Julen Lopetegui if they decide to part company with the under-pressure Spaniard.

Lopetegui has failed to make an impact at the London Stadium since replacing David Moyes in the summer, and while the Hammers are giving him a chance to turn his side's fortunes around, it seems they are considering alternatives, with Carrick, who made over 100 appearances for the club during his playing days, one name in the frame.

Carrick has been in charge of Middlesbrough since October 2022, and his side currently sit fifth in the Championship table after a strong start to the season, so the Teesside outfit will be reluctant to lose the 43-year-old.

In a potential boost to Boro's hopes of keeping hold of Carrick, talkSPORT claimed on Monday that former Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea boss Graham Potter is open to taking over at West Ham on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

Middlesbrough fan pundit on Michael Carrick to West Ham talk

When asked if he believes Carrick would be tempted by the West Ham job, FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit Jasper Hudson admitted that the ex-Manchester United man would likely be interested in a move to the London Stadium, but he believes it will depend on when the Hammers make an approach.

"I find it very hard to believe that there wouldn't be a slight bit of interest from Carrick," Jasper said.

"Every manager wants to manage in the Premier League and it would be a step up for him.

"West Ham are struggling at the minute and I don't think their squad is particularly good, but as a manager you're always going to back yourself to turn it around and do successful things there.

"I think it's such a timing issue, things are going well at Middlesbrough now and he's been backed plenty.

"He's had time at the club, there's never been any pressure on him from the board when things weren't going as well at the start of the season and last year, so it's a really difficult one to call.

"There's definitely going to be interest from him, it would be naive to think there's not, but whether he will actually move is a different question.

"It depends on when they actually come in for him, how we're doing and how they're doing.

"I think he's clever enough to know the grass isn't always greener in a way, if he does step up and struggle because their squad isn't very good then it does harm his managerial career going forward.

"He could do something similar to Kieran McKenna and get promoted and then be linked with other Premier League jobs once you've established yourself a bit more.

"Carrick would have some slight interest in the job should they come calling, but you have to assess what the situation is when they come in for him, if they even do come in for him."

Michael Carrick should be cautious over potential Middlesbrough exit

It is difficult to disagree with Jasper that Carrick could be tempted by a move to West Ham, but he should be incredibly careful about leaving the Riverside Stadium.

Given Boro's inconsistency over the past 18 months, there have been plenty of occasions when owner Steve Gibson could have sacked Carrick, but the club have shown strong loyalty to him.

Carrick signed a new three-year deal in the summer, and after being heavily backed in the transfer market, his side are firmly among the promotion contenders in the Championship, so there is every chance he could be managing in the Premier League with his current club next season.

West Ham has proven to be a tough club to manage over the years, and it would be a big gamble for Carrick if he took the Hammers job at this early stage of his managerial career, so staying with Boro would be the sensible option.