Middlesbrough are flying in the Championship having won five of their last five in the Championship, which has helped them reach the third spot, four points behind Sheffield United.
Boro have been thriving under former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick’s stewardship and to discuss their performance, we got in touch with former Manchester United star, Paul Parker.
Carrick has changed Boro’s fortunes and he’ll definitely be recruited in the summer
The two-time Premier League winner expressed his admiration for the job that Carrick has done but he also urges caution to Middlesbrough, as he believes Carrick will be on the shopping list for multiple clubs in the summer.
“He’s certainly changed the fortunes of the club.”
“I’m sure people are going to be recruiting him in the summer. If you’re Middlesbrough I’m sure you’d be a little bit concerned.”
Michael Carrick’s way of managing Middlesbrough is different – it’s similar to how he was as a player
The former England international shared his observation of Carrick’s managing style, saying it’s different from other managers as he doesn’t rant or confront. Parker also says that it reminds him of how Carrick was as a player.
“Michael Carrick has done great. The way he manages Middlesbrough is different. If he was to come to the Premier League and manage a big club he’d be different to a lot of the other managers.”
“You won’t see him ranting and raving or being confrontational. It’s not there.”
“If you remember him as a player he was never confrontational. Someone would tackle him and he’d get straight back up to get on with the game. That’s the manner he’s managing at the moment. He’s laid back and getting on with it effectively and quietly.”
Carrick would be happy with Middlesbrough’s performances going under-the-radar
The former QPR and Fulham full-back also explained that it’s beneficial for Carrick to be managing a side whose performances go under-the-radar as they’re not a very high-profile team.
“He’ll be very happy with the way things are going. Not just on the playing side but also the fact no one’s talking about them.”
“They’re that kind of team. They’re in the North-East. Maybe outside of Darlington they’re the lesser known North-East team. They’ve got no great rivals. People say they have to make their own rivals.”
“It’s his first job and we’ve seen too many honeymoons go wrong so he’ll be content as he’s in the Championship.”
“Everyone English and British knows about the Championship. It’s that one league where you don’t take anything for granted.”
