After the end of the 24/25 season, Michael Carrick parted ways with Middlesbrough. He spent three seasons as their manager, leading the club into: 136 games, 63 wins, 24 draws and 49 losses. Most memorable during his time, the team reached a semi - final of the Carabao Cup, winning the first leg against Chelsea but losing out in the second. Also, in his opening season, the Boro reached the semi - final of the Play offs, narrowly losing out to Coventry. His leaving was on the back of an overall backwards trajectory, falling from play - off spots to 10th in three season.
- Rumoured Replacements
- Gary O'Neil
Gary O'Neil the previous manager of Wolverhampton was sacked after a poor start to this season, which saw the club in the relegation zone. He has strong ties to the club as he was a former club captain during his tenure as a player. It would be a smart appointment given this connection, but also he has promotion experience when he was involved in the managerial staff at Bournemouth when they most recently got promoted.
O'Neil spent two seasons as manager at Wolves, involved in 63 games, achieving 20 wins, 11 draws and 32 losses. During these games, Wolves finished in a secure place in the Premier League and a quarter final finish in the FA Cup, losing out to Coventry. Whilst at Bournemouth, he managed during 37 games, achieving 11 wins, 6 draws and 20 losses.
Appointing Gary O'Neil would be a smart move. He has strong ties to the club being a former captain which would bring passion. He has recent promotion experience so knows what it takes to achieve Middlesbrough's main aim of promotion. If he was able to achieve promotion with the Boro, he has experience keeping teams up, successfull with both Wolves and Bournemouth.
- Johannes Hoff Thorup
Johannes Hoff Thorup's most recent position was at Norwich, at the helm for a full season with the Canaries. He achieved a 13th place finish in the 24/25 season and was relieved of his position at the end. There has been multiple different opinions on this sacking as being rather unfair. Before Norwich, Thorup's last position was at Nordsjaelland achieving a positive win to loss ratio.
Whilst at Nordsjaelland, Thorup managed for 67 games, achieving 34 wins, 17 draws and 16 losses. His move to Norwich was a choice more so something that was forced. During his tenure at the Canaries, he managed 47 games, achieving 14 wins, 14 draws and 19 losses.
Appointing Thorup would not be the best option out of the available managers. Whilst having a positive win to loss ratio at his previous job, it has not carried across to Norwich. He has only just come over to English Football and may take years to get used to it, which the Boro don't want. They are better off choosing a manager with a similar record, but one that took place in England instead.
- Tony Mowbray
Tony Mowbray is a fan favourite at the club. He has previously managed Middlesbrough, was a captain during his player career of 9 years at the club and even expressed his love for the club. Mowbray's last job was at West Brom, getting sacked just before the end of this season after a poor finish.
During his previous stint as a manager at the Boro, he was in charge for 153 games, achieving 61 wins, 37 draws and 55 losses. A positive win to loss ratio. During his most recent time at West Brom, he was in charge for 17 games, only achieving 5 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses which saw the club fall out of the play - offs to 9th position.
Appointing Tony Mowbray would certainly be a gamble. He has promotion experience, winning the championship with West Brom in the 2007/08 season and the play offs with Sunderland three seasons ago. However, his work at West Brom didn't really hit the ground running and saw him fall out of favour with a club where he was loved at. A positive previous experience at Middlesbrough could be tarnished if it didn't go well, and it seems that his play style might be out dated which is evidenced through his most recent job.
- Steve Cooper
Steve Cooper's most recent job was at newly relegated Leicester City which was a short tenure as he couldn't change the club's fortunes. Before that, he was at Nottingham Forest where he was promoted with them and kept them safe. He has other championship experience at Swansea City.
Whilst at Forest, Cooper was in charge for 108 games, achieving 43 wins, 27 draws and 38 losses, a positive win to loss ratio and a promotion. Whilst at Swansea, he was in charge for 105 games, achieving 47 wins, 28 draws and 30 losses, another positive win to loss ratio.
Appointing Steve Cooper would be a smart move for Middlesbrough. He has previous promotion experience and knows what it takes to achieve the Boro's main aim. More importantly, during Forest's promotion season he took them from second from bottom to winning the play offs in one season. He has a good championship record and even previously kept clubs up after promotion.
- Danny Rohl
Danny Rohl is currently the manager at Sheffield Wednesday and during his time has seen them progress under poor ownership. Many tipped Wednesday to go down, but now under Danny Rohl they are seen as a safe championship club.
Whilst at Wednesday, Rohl has managed 89 games achieving 34 wins, 19 draws and 36 losses, keeping Sheffield Wednesday up and seeing them go on an upwards trajectory.
The appointment of Danny Rohl would also be a smart move for Middlesbrough. He is a quality manager that wants to leave Wednesday meaning he would be open to the move. He has done very well with a poor Wednesday side, especially under poor ownership. This suggests he will potentially thrive when backed. However, how it has ended between Rohl and Wednesday could be a bit of a warning as it highlights potential attitude problems and him thinking that he is bigger than a club.
