Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has provided the latest on the future of Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick amid interest from West Ham United.
Since Carrick arrived at Riverside in October 2022, Boro have established themselves as promotion challengers again.
As such, the former Manchester United coach has seen his reputation skyrocket at Riverside and has often been linked with a move to West Ham United.
The 42-year-old has had to contend with talismanic departures this term, with Chuba Akpom joining Ajax in the summer and Morgan Rogers making the switch to Aston Villa mid-season, but he’s still managed to keep Boro in the mix for a top-six finish.
With The Hammers loitering, Bailey has issued a fresh update on Carrick’s Middlesbrough future.
Graeme Bailey provides update on Michael Carrick’s future
Speaking exclusively to boro.news, Graeme Bailey poured water on West Ham’s interest in Carrick and further noted that a contract extension could be penned in the next few months.
“He’s happy here [Middlesbrough]. I don’t think particularly he’s on anyone’s list at the moment; he’s always linked to West Ham but my understanding is West Ham have got some bigger targets to replace Moyes at the moment,” Bailey said.
“I think that’ll get done [new Middlesbrough contract for Carrick] before the start of next season.”
Such news will come as a relief to Middlesbrough supporters, who will be quietly optimistic of a late run to the play-offs this term.
Can Michael Carrick fire Middlesbrough into the play-offs?
With Boro currently residing in midtable and eight points adrift of the top six, many would assume a play-off finish is out of reach.
Though, notwithstanding that, Carrick’s side do have a game in hand on most of their play-off rivals, meaning they can close the gap to a surmountable five points.
Pair that with the fact that they still have Hull City to play, who occupy seventh place, level on points with Norwich in sixth, they’ve got every chance of a promotion push.
Carrick’s side make the trip to Birmingham City on Tuesday before playing host to Blackburn Rovers on the weekend.
Both sides are struggling towards the foot of the table and are must-wins if Boro are to make a late run for the top six.
Following the international break, Middlesbrough then make the trip down south to face automatic promotion hopefuls Southampton at St Mary’s, whom they beat 2-1 in September.