Since the average tenure of a Championship manager is now less than 2 years, I no longer think that there's such a thing as planning for a long-term future - especially if you also consider that any player who shows PL potential will be cashed in before their contract enters at least the final 18 months.
It's basically now a season-to-season exercise, where a manager will get another go if he's on an upward trajectory and many of the players are passing through a revolving door.
We don't know what we'll get next but in theory it will be a coach that plays a similar style to how Carrick did otherwise it defeats having a Director of Football structure. I hope the lessons of cashing in mid-season on players has been noted in terms of how it can scupper a season.
On that basis, I thought Carrick would get another season to try and get it right given he lost his star striker but maybe with his key midfielder in Hackney looking likely to exit and possibly his playmaker in Azaz too - then it was decided the cycle had ended and it was time to try someone else.
Until we know who that is and which players will be sold and who will come in, then I really can't say if I'm optimistic of next season being better than last season. I only know that you can't think the next season can be set aside as one of transition to regroup - that's a sure way to end up struggling if the wrong mentality is projected.
In football, if you're not moving forwards then you're falling behind the competition - so Boro need to get it right in the next two weeks. If Scott does get a manager on the same page as himself then at least the club will all be pulling in the same direction - with hopefully that direction being forwards of course!
From a personal perspective, my hopes have been for a decent style of football, some pragmatism included within, good performances at the Riverside, winning more than we lose & draw.
On that basis, given that Mr Gibson will make some money available for squad improvements, then challenging and hopefully maintaining a top six place in the league.
I had great doubts in that last season, as shown in the COT’s Challenge. Unless there was going to be a dramatic system change and of players with more strength and pace, knowing we would lose at least I suspect, two of the better ones, then this season is going to be a big challenge, given the normal relegated teams and probably Wrexham and Birmingham now added to the mix.
The truth of the matter is that, as werder expanded past Karanka and said, the last fifteen years have seen little success in chasing for promotion to the EPL.
I don’t expect promotion. I do hope for a top six place or decent home form. Maybe we are being unrealistic, maybe we should be content with Championship football, and think how lucky we have been not to relegated. We have flirted at times. Think Ipswich, Sunderland and many other.
However just like both of the clubs above, we are entitled to dream, sweet dreams occasionally.
Micheal, I thought would go close at the end of his first season, and we would see Wembley. But it was not to be.
Still, just like PinB, I am looking at a very nice vista in front of our terrace. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and it is very quiet. I should be thankful.
Heard a whisper , they have interviewed John Terry, only saying
I hope it was under caution...
The source I've seen on the Terry story says that following the sacking of Tony Pulis, Terry,who is assistant coach to Dean Smith at Aston Villa, is being interviewed by Steve Gibson. The story is accompanied by a picture captioned John Terry featuring some individual who is definitely not Terry
Is it stating the obvious to suggest that players with a particular loyalty to Carrick are more likely to leave this summer? If true, that would put Hackney very much in line for a transfer and, as one of the top midfield prospects in the country, what is he worth.
Given the progress made by Rogers - another Carrick product - I’ll start the auction at £25 million plus 10%. Anything less is giving him away.
I admit to having admired Carrick and his style of football but his failure in the last month of the season left a bitter taste. We really should have done better.
Regarding this much-written-about feud, I don’t see why everything has to be so Machiavellian. I know that there are people on the blog who love doom and intrigue but life doesn’t have to be that complicated. Carrick had been giving three goes at bringing Boro through the playoffs and he didn’t manage to do it. That is a reasonable test run for any manager and it’s not unreasonable to seek a new approach. That had to be either through Carrick himself or someone better suited to the task. Time will tell if Gibson et al are now able to make the right call.
Regarding transfers, short of having someone in the room it is all speculation. However, to me it is not far-fetched to assume that decisions on major departures would ultimately be non-football matters, signed-off by Scott, Bausor and Gibson whereas I find it inconceivable that the acquisition of a key member of the playing staff would happen without the explicit sign-off of the head of the team, the Head Coach/manager. Whether there were other options than Ianacheo ...who knows.
Anyway, with a number of potential sales and prices ever increasing, it could be a difficult window and we may need a couple of discoveries and Academy breakthroughs. I’m resigned to losing two of the top four players in the squad - probably Hackney plus 1 - and hope that it’s nothing worse than that.
UTB
I agree that there will be separation between business decisions and football matters - plus the head coach is unlikely to have a veto on big money sales if they are required to balance the books.
As for incoming deals, it would be inconceivable that the head coach didn’t have a large say in such matters in much the same way a departmental head would ultimately choose their staff.
However, there does need to be a great degree of trust between the main people in an organisation for it to work - much in the same way that a split dressing room never leads to the best outcome.
On Hackney, I read an interview after his England U21 call-up where he expressed how gutted he was to see Carrick leave but equally sounded keen and was looking forward to working with a new manager at Boro and hoping for a good season - whether the club are ready to sell him is another matter but it may be easier with a new man not yet through the door.
There seem to be a lot of media reports singing the praises of Rob Edwards so I’m thinking it may be his to lose.
I hope that you right about Hackney. He may become a great player. Makes me think of Bobby Charlton with his forward runs.
i don’t really know enough about Edwards to comment. His successes seem to have carried a touch of triumph over adversity and that has not really been Middlesbrough’s issue. I feel that we need someone who can reshape things slightly to maintain an attacking style while eliminating the Benny Hill moments and the structural problems when we lose the ball.
I’vae enjoyed the moments when Carrickball enabled MFC to outplay other teams but clearly we also need a touch of steel. Maybe the biggest issue of the transfer window was not getting Glenn Kamara.
I’d also like to get a real sense of how close some of the academy prospects are to breaking through. Other clubs seem to find a pathway for the their brilliant kids. We seem to falter on the brink.
UTB
Not sure Rob Edwards is known for his tight defence - Luton conceded 85 in the PL.
Yes, I’d also like to see more of our academy players and thought Law McCabe looked a likely replacement for Hackney and was positive on the ball.
@selwynoz Well said. Totally agree.
Also, I would like to say we have a good squad. If we keep most of the squad, have less injuries (McGree, centre backs) and can get a replacement for Latte Lath, we could be OK for next season.
I hope the new manager basically plays the same way as Carrock but adds some steel and consistency. I hope the changes are kept to minimim in the squad - otherwise we lose a season rebuilding the team, again. I hope we have learnt and hire a successor to Carrick that will continue and improve the work in process.
I fully support the current business model.
Up the Boro!
And I mean we must keep Hackney, Fry and van den Berg. After selling Rogers and Latte Lath, we should not need to cash in with the three players this summer.
As a local boy, Hackney could stay, and vdB needs an injuriy-free season under his belt. He is still young.
A lot depends on the next head coach. He needs to be as good as Carrick as a COACH, but a bit better during the match day.
Up the Boro!
Another lesser kept secret has been confirmed with Castore being confirmed as the new kit supplier.
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2025/june/09/castore-announced-as-official-technical-kit-supplier/
Come on BORO.
Sunderland agree to sell Jobe Bellingham in a deal worth £32m, £27.8 plus £4.2m add ons and a 15% sell on clause.
Come on BORO.
I sincerely hope we will celebrate the 150th anniversary with Castore back in the EPL!Another lesser kept secret has been confirmed with Castore being confirmed as the new kit supplier.
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2025/june/09/castore-announced-as-official-technical-kit-supplier/
Come on BORO.
Up the Boro!
Stevie G 5/2 favourite what thoughts ?
OFB
Another rumour !
QPR boss Marti Cifuentes was placed on gardening leave towards the end of last season after news emerged following rumours he was set for the West Brom job.
However, reports confirmed that Cifuentes wasn’t on West Brom’s shortlist, and now the Spaniard could be the manager to replace Carrick at Boro.
Via information from Chief Football correspondent Graeme Bailey, EFL Analysiscan reveal that the Queens Park Rangers man is a “new name” being considered by managerless Middlesbrough.
OFB
A no from me too.
yer joking aren't yaStevie G 5/2 favourite what thoughts ?
OFB
.... Nay, nay and thrice nay
Tittered I would be not.
@original-fat-bob. I never believe anything from Graeme Bailey.
Of course one day he may just get it right.
@exmil. Yes I saw that. If true, that has to be the fee we should be aiming for.
There were a number of Sunderland fans (aren't there always) who thought that it was a great deal and he was not as good as the fee paid.
When one sees the names being bandied about,, it worries me. SG. 🤣🤣🤣
Now I admit to not having a number one choice or even know some of the names being put forward.
However if things do not improve, I think Cooper. Unfortunately he has ruled himself out apparently. So back to 🤔
Maybe we’ll get Steven Gerard and John Terry as his assistant as the new Carrick and Woodgate combo 😉
😱Maybe we’ll get Steven Gerard and John Terry as his assistant as the new Carrick and Woodgate combo 😉
Neither Marti Cifuentes or Steven Gerrard are under consideration to be next Middlesbrough head coach, Teesside Live understands.
Liverpool legend Gerrard was a shock mover in the betting markets on Monday, moving to become the new favourite after a huge increase in bets placed on him. However, Gerrard, who left Al-Ettifaq in January, had recently stated he intended to take a break. He is not under consideration to be next Boroboss.
OFB
@original-fat-bob I read an article a long while ago about SG and his alleged “involvement” with the criminal underworld. They seemed to have some hold over him that prevented him leaving Liverpool FC at one point.
The more I think about it, and knowing Gibson , it wouldn't surprise me if Grant Leadbitter got the job ,
that is the first suggestion I have heard that would enthuse me.The more I think about it, and knowing Gibson , it wouldn't surprise me if Grant Leadbitter got the job ,