"Lessons to be learned" - Middlesbrough message sent to owner Steve Gibson over big Michael Carrick decision | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit has given his verdict on the club's review process surrounding Michael Carrick's future

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 made the decision to sack manager Michael Carrick this week after nearly three years in charge.

According to Football Insider, the conclusion of the club’s review was expected next week following the end of a disappointing Championship campaign, but it has instead ended earlier - and has cost Carrick his job.

The 43-year-old had been in charge since October 2022, and recently led the team to a 10th-place finish in the second tier table.

This led to pressure over his position, with Middlesbrough missing out on their goal of a top six finish, coming four points behind Bristol City in sixth.

Middlesbrough review process over Michael Carrick's job criticised

The decision to sack Carrick took Boro's hierarchy a whole month after their season had finished, and when asked whether questions should be raised about this review process in regards to owner Steve Gibson and director of football Kieran Scott, FLW’s Middlesbrough fan pundit Phil Auton believes there should be given how long it’s taken to conclude.

And whilst Auton was leaning towards Carrick departing anyway, he claims a decision shouldn’t have taken as long to be made after the season ended unless certain considerations had to be met.

“Realistically, looking back at the end of the season, I think we played Watford in February, I think that was probably the time to do it,” Auton told Football League World.

“It could’ve given the new manager a bit of impetus and a bit of a push to the team.

“I think most supporters who wanted him gone were looking around about that time anyway.

“I think now the season is finished, it’s been finished a month, the only real soundbites we’ve had is about a review, but the review was sort of around everything with the club, so medical, Carrick, recruitment, the list goes on.

“There’s also been some bits coming out about how best they can support him if he was to stay in the role. Again, why would it take a month to do that? I don’t know.

“Really, I think a lot of supporters are hanging on this review, but a review should take place any season, but there just seems to be a lot more focus on this one because of the results.

“I think the tide’s turned a little bit, because the dust settled, people are prepared to give him another chance, but I’d still say it’s kind of 60/40 in terms of wanting him out.

“I’m not sure why it would take so long, unless things have had to align elsewhere with letting him go and getting somebody else in.

“But he has got two years left on his contract as well.

“But I definitely think there’s some lessons to be learned even with the review, if that makes sense, about how long this has taken because, as I said, they should conduct a review regardless of how successful the season was.”

Michael Carrick decision should have been made sooner by Steve Gibson - other Championship clubs are starting their transfer business

The season ended over a month ago now, so it had been quite a thorough review of the entire club before a decision on Carrick’s future was made.

Many factors would have been needed to be weighed up by chairman Steve Gibson and head of football Kieran Scott, including the availability of potential replacements.

Bristol City, QPR and Hull City are among the clubs still searching for a new coach, and pre-season won’t be for another few weeks, so there is still time.

But ideally, Middlesbrough would have been better off hitting the ground running in the transfer market and preparing for next season as best they can, which they can only do when they know who will be in charge of the team - now that they need to reset and find Carrick's successor, business will have to go on the back-burner whilst it is decided who is next to take the job.