Carrick explains why he 'needed' to leave Man Utd; he is 'ready' for a 'different' challenge with Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick has explained why he thinks he 'needs' to leave Manchester United to progress in his managerial career.
Carrick spent 12 years with Man Utd as a player between 2006 and 2018. He played 464 times during that time and won the Premier League title five times.
After retiring, the Englishman quickly turned to training and he earned a place in Jose Mourinho's squad at Man Utd.
The 41-year-old started working with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and he had a spell as caretaker manager before Ralf Rangnick's doom at United began in December 2021.
Carrick made the admirable decision to step down immediately after Rangnick arrived. He did this with the goal of becoming a full time manager in his own right.
He got his wish as last month he was named as Chris Wilder's replacement at Championship side Middlesbrough.
The new Boro boss is off to a good start at Riverside Stadium. In his first five games in charge, he has three wins, one draw and one loss.
Carrick has now admitted his departure from Man Utd was 'necessary'.
"I think it was necessary, to be honest," Carrick told TeessideLive.
"Manchester United was my life and had been for some time. I have great respect for the club and love the place. I have friends there and my son still plays there.
“So I will never lose that affinity. I was at the away game two weeks ago with my son. It was a big part of my life and that's football. ties to certain football clubs."
He added: "When I'm somewhere I'm all for it. But I've felt comfortable in this role at United and sometimes you have to step out of that comfort zone to test yourself. and make your own way.. That's why I'm here [in Middlesbrough].
"It's where I started all those years ago, so there's a kind of real sense of place here - and I'm not saying that as a throwaway line, that's what I feel. I've really felt at home the last few days."
Carrick later suggested he was 'ready' for what lay ahead at Middlesbrough.
"I think the most important thing is that I felt comfortable in the role, ultimately," Carrick explained. “Having this responsibility was comfortable. Sometimes you don't know how you're going to feel, but it felt natural to me.
"Everyone said it must have been pretty stressful, but actually I always felt pretty calm. So that was a real positive for me.
"I'm not getting carried away though. I know it was only three games and the situation I was in is a different responsibility than the one I'm stepping into now.
"But at the same time, it gave me confidence knowing that I'm ready. With the team around me at this club, I'm really optimistic about what lies ahead."
READ MORE: Who will buy Manchester United? Potential bidders for the Red Devils…
Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick has explained why he thinks he 'needs' to leave Manchester United to progress in his managerial career.
Carrick spent 12 years with Man Utd as a player between 2006 and 2018. He played 464 times during that time and won the Premier League title five times.
After retiring, the Englishman quickly turned to training and he earned a place in Jose Mourinho's squad at Man Utd.
The 41-year-old started working with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and he had a spell as caretaker manager before Ralf Rangnick's doom at United began in December 2021.
Carrick made the admirable decision to step down immediately after Rangnick arrived. He did this with the goal of becoming a full time manager in his own right.
He got his wish as last month he was named as Chris Wilder's replacement at Championship side Middlesbrough.
The new Boro boss is off to a good start at Riverside Stadium. In his first five games in charge, he has three wins, one draw and one loss.
Carrick has now admitted his departure from Man Utd was 'necessary'.
"I think it was necessary, to be honest," Carrick told TeessideLive.
"Manchester United was my life and had been for some time. I have great respect for the club and love the place. I have friends there and my son still plays there.
“So I will never lose that affinity. I was at the away game two weeks ago with my son. It was a big part of my life and that's football. ties to certain football clubs."
He added: "When I'm somewhere I'm all for it. But I've felt comfortable in this role at United and sometimes you have to step out of that comfort zone to test yourself. and make your own way.. That's why I'm here [in Middlesbrough].
"It's where I started all those years ago, so there's a kind of real sense of place here - and I'm not saying that as a throwaway line, that's what I feel. I've really felt at home the last few days."
Carrick later suggested he was 'ready' for what lay ahead at Middlesbrough.
"I think the most important thing is that I felt comfortable in the role, ultimately," Carrick explained. “Having this responsibility was comfortable. Sometimes you don't know how you're going to feel, but it felt natural to me.
"Everyone said it must have been pretty stressful, but actually I always felt pretty calm. So that was a real positive for me.
"I'm not getting carried away though. I know it was only three games and the situation I was in is a different responsibility than the one I'm stepping into now.
"But at the same time, it gave me confidence knowing that I'm ready. With the team around me at this club, I'm really optimistic about what lies ahead."
READ MORE: Who will buy Manchester United? Potential bidders for the Red Devils…
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