Middlesbrough call a masterstroke on the back of Ipswich Town, Leicester City experiences: View | OneFootball

Highlights

It's often clear who is the most important figure at a club, be that a player or a member of the club's hierarchy, but in Middlesbrough's case, their manager, Michael Carrick, is the club's biggest asset by far.

It will have come as a relief to therefore hear that he has penned a new three-year contract this week, as the club have put their faith in him as the right man to take the club forward.

Boro appointed the former Manchester United favourite in October 2022, and it has turned out to be an inspired decision. Despite Carrick's side sitting outside of the play-off places for the majority of this season, he has earned plenty of plaudits for his work in transforming Boro over the course of the last year-and-a-half or so.

The Teesiders ended last season on 75 points, with multiple players having benefited due to the switch from Chris Wilder to Carrick - with his more possession-heavy and attack-minded philosophy. He took charge after 16 games in the Championship last season, with Middlesbrough sat in 21st on 17 points, having sacked Wilder.

They ended up losing out in the play-offs and his new-look side were looking to go one better this season under Carrick, with promotion the goal yet again for his side after finishing fourth in a play-off spot last season. They ultimately fell short this year, in part due to an ever-growing injury list over the course of the season.

It also didn't help matters that they began the campaign fairly slowly. However, their end to the season will have given them plenty of hope heading into next season, especially with Carrick agreeing an extension. That has put any doubts surrounding his immediate future to bed, whilst also signifying to their chief that he is their main asset above any players or members of staff.

Middlesbrough learn from Ipswich and Leicester example

It's a masterstroke from the club to tie him down now whilst in the second tier, given the interest we've seen in Ipswich Town and Leicester City's managers after they won promotion this season. Enzo Maresca departed the Foxes for Chelsea, whilst Kieran McKenna came close to leaving Ipswich, only to sign a new lucrative deal after promotion.

Carrick signing an extension now clears the minds of many at the club, knowing that they are protected should Carrick continue on his current trajectory with the club - naturally, stirring up further interest in his services. Despite his side ending the 2023/2024 campaign outside of the play-off places, his stock continues to rise, as highlighted by links to Premier League sides over the last two seasons.

They may have ended up losing out in the play-offs in his first season and fallen just short of them this year, but there is no reason why they can't compete well in next year's Championship, in what looks like a weaker top-end of the division in terms of the sides coming down.

As mentioned, their end of season form will have Boro fans excited for what awaits next season. They won seven, drew four, and lost just once during their final 12 league games, and almost timed their charge up the table perfectly. They will hope to carry that over to next season with Carrick at the helm.

With a good transfer window of spending, having sold the likes of Morgan Rogers, Chuba Akpom, Djed Spence, and Marcus Tavernier in recent years - they have been able to generate funds to put back into the playing squad, and can hope to do so again without the need for any major departees this summer.

Carrick's Middlesbough impact

Carrick and his side have unfinished business in the Championship. Much like players, it's true that managers can develop in the right environment, and Carrick is thriving with Boro for the most part, even if 2024 can be seen as a minor step backwards.

The league table doesn't necessarily tell the whole story for his side this season, too, as they have largely played well in the circumstances, with their persistent injury problems also not helping at all, either. Chopping and changing in defensive areas meant his side could not settle as well as they did during 2022/23.

However, Carrick is one of the most tactically flexible and promising managers in the division, and one of the club's biggest assets moving forwards, which was definitely of slight concern given how many of the Championship's best have been leaving for other opportunities recently, or linked away in McKenna's case.

Carrick is one of the best young English coaches out there currently. He's tactically innovative and flexible, often making numerous proactive changes mid-game to counter the opposition. Middlesbrough hanging onto one of the league's best minds and tinkerers may be the best bit of business they complete in the market this summer, full stop.

However, it would be absolutely not be surprising if they were in the promotion hunt next year, with further investment to supplement Carrick's freshly agreed terms likely meaning that there is no reason Boro could not find themselves in the play-offs, at the very least, next season.