Middlesbrough Football Club has announced the departure of head coach Michael Carrick after a tenure of two-and-a-half years. The 43-year-old former England midfielder, who took his first managerial role at the Championship side in October 2022, has been sacked along with his assistants, Jonathan Woodgate and his brother Graeme Carrick. Despite guiding the team to a play-off finish in the 2022-23 season, Middlesbrough failed to secure a top-six spot in the subsequent two campaigns.

Carrick's appointment in October 2022 came when Middlesbrough were struggling in the relegation zone under Chris Wilder. He orchestrated a significant turnaround, leading the team up the table and into promotion contention. They finished fourth in the 2022-23 season, marking their first play-off campaign in five years, though they were ultimately defeated by Coventry in the semi-finals.

However, the following seasons saw a dip in performance. In the 2023-24 season, Boro finished eighth, four points adrift of the play-off places. The most recent 2024-25 season concluded with the team in 10th position. A poor run of form, with only one win in their final six matches, proved detrimental to their play-off aspirations, which remained alive until the final day's defeat at Coventry.

The decision to part ways with Carrick, as analyzed by BBC Radio Tees Middlesbrough commentator Mark Drury, was not a precipitate one. A month had passed since the end of the season, during which the club conducted an in-depth review. This review was prompted by the failure to achieve promotion, a target that had been budgeted for, especially considering the relatively low points total required for play-off qualification this past season—the lowest in a decade.

Despite Carrick initially stating his intention to continue after the final match, the club's hierarchy proceeded with their evaluation, which involved multiple meetings, including with the head coach. There was a growing sense of disenchantment among the fanbase by the season's end, with many feeling detached. While there's sadness on Teesside that the promise shown in Carrick's first season couldn't be sustained, the reality is that the club has regressed in the subsequent seasons.

Carrick's departure adds to the significant managerial turnover in the Championship, with 17 of last season's 24 teams having changed their manager since August of the previous year. Before joining Middlesbrough, Carrick began his coaching career at Manchester United, where he enjoyed a decorated playing career, winning five Premier League titles. He also had a brief spell as caretaker manager for Manchester United in November 2021 following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure, before Ralf Rangnick's interim appointment.

Attention now shifts to who will succeed Carrick. Rob Edwards is reportedly highly regarded by Middlesbrough's head of football, Kieran Scott, while Danny Rohl of Sheffield Wednesday is also considered a likely candidate for any Championship club seeking a manager, following his impressive work at Hillsborough. Middlesbrough's next managerial appointment will be crucial as the club aims to end its 10-year absence from the Premier League and secure a return to the top flight.