Michael Carrick.
Michael Carrick has been axed by Middlesbrough.(Image: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images.)
Former Manchester United midfielder and caretaker manager Michael Carrick has been sacked by Middlesbrough.
The Riverside outfit missed out on a Championship play-off place on the final day of the season after being beaten 2-0 by fellow play-off hopefuls Coventry City. Boro finished tenth, four points shy of the top six.
They stumbled towards the end of the campaign, winning just one of their last six matches - a late 2-1 home win over relegated Plymouth Argyle.
Issuing a statement on Wednesday lunchtime, the Championship club said: "Middlesbrough Football Club has today parted company with head coach Michael Carrick.
"Michael's assistants Jonathan Woodgate and Graeme Carrick have also departed the club.
"We'd like to thank Michael, Jonathan, and Graeme for all their hard work and unwavering commitment. We wish them all the very best for the future.
"The club will be making no further comment at this stage."
After leaving United following a short-term stint as caretaker boss in December 2021, Carrick landed his first full-time post in management when he was appointed Middlesbrough head coach in October 2022.
After succeeding former boss Chris Wilder when they were 21st in the table, Carrick guided Boro to a fourth-placed finish, meaning they secured a play-off spot. However, they were beaten 1-0 by Coventry at the semi-final stage.
In 2023/24, Boro were expected to challenge for promotion once again, and they did so right until the latter stages of the season. However, they finished eighth, four points shy of the final play-off spot.
This season, they were once again expected to challenge for promotion, and after two near misses, it was hoped it would be third time lucky for Carrick, who found himself under pressure and facing the axe earlier this year.
Despite taking their play-off push to the final day of the season, they fell short of the expected standard. Carrick took charge of 136 matches in total and also guided the club to the League Cup semi-finals in 2023/24.
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