How Michael Carrick has transformed Middlesbrough - and what could the future hold?

Middlesbrough have enjoyed a superb turnaround under Michael Carrick, who replaced Chris Wilder as head coach in October.

EFL expert Gab Sutton looks at the reasons behind this transformation and what the future could hold for the Boro boss.

When Michael Carrick took charge on 24th October, Middlesbrough were just one point above the drop zone: and would have been in it on PPG because 22nd-placed Coventry had three games in hand.

Since then, only the top two have taken more points than Boro, who have accrued a whopping 31 from 14 games.

Burnley and Sheffield United found their mettle earlier in the season, and may have closed off the automatic promotion conversation, but the Teessiders’ resurgence has made them prime candidates for a top-six spot.

Although Carrick’s side are only four points clear of seventh-placed Blackburn, who have a game in hand, based on the last 14 weeks it’s difficult to see them missing out on a Play-Off berth.

Should we be shocked by this respectable resurgence from the Riverside residents?

Not exactly – they were many people’s tip for the title in July, and performed better than results suggested under Chris Wilder, so the likelihood was always that Carrick would find himself on the right side of variance.

At the same time, to put too much weight on variance would be to do Carrick a disservice because his excellent coach and man-management qualities, combined with subtle tactical tweaks, have contributed to this drastic turnaround in fortunes.

The Manchester United legend’s start to management has been impeccable – so could the man so often overlooked for England as a player finally get that recognition as a manager one day in the future?

The flip from three to four

Commonly accepted wisdom, before the season, was that having two fit, direct, quality, attacking wing-backs rather than one would be a game-changer for Middlesborough.

Last season, so much of their attacking play went down the right through Isaiah Jones, who enjoyed an outstanding break-out campaign.

Jones offered searing pace over long distances, quick feet over short ones, as well as the presence of mind to make sound decisions when he got into the areas from which to release the ball, and bring quality in his end product to boot: it made him one of the Championship’s top performers.

The other wing-back for Chris Wilder’s side last season, however, was veteran Neil Taylor, solid enough but nowhere near as threatening, hence opponents could stop them by doubling up on Jones and trying to funnel the ball towards Taylor, who in turn would often pass sideways or backwards, stifling the momentum of attacks.

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The reason many, including this writer, thought Middlesbrough would win the title under Chris Wilder in 2022-23, was because of the introduction of Ryan Giles at left wing-back.

With the ability to run at opponents directly combined with technical precision – both from set pieces and open play, for that matter – the tactic of funnelling the ball towards Boro less threatening left side would not be an option.

In one sense, this was true – Giles did have an impact going forward - yet the cost was that Middlesbrough were open with Jones and Giles in the side simultaneously, a problem magnified by sloppy use of the ball in midfield and a lack of pace in the back-three, barring Anfernee Dijksteel.

The task for Carrick, therefore, was finding a way for his side to retain it’s creative potential, whilst adding some defensive balance, providing the right support for defenders like the imperious Darragh Lenihan.

His solution was to flip from 3-5-2 to 4-2-3-1, with a steady-eddie right-back in Tommy Smith who is still more progressive than Taylor if not exactly a rampaging runner, then the more adventurous Giles at left-back, with Jones or Marcus Forss on the right of the attacking quartet.

The symmetry might not be an exact science, but it’s been a very practical formation that has delivered fantastic results: Carrick should be credited for changing things around.

Archer has Boro fans all a quiver

Cameron Archer showed what he can do in the Championship last season at Preston North End, where he scored seven goals in 20 appearances, and the Aston Villa loanee is out to prove his worth again.

The 21-year-old caught the eye against Watford with a stunning individual performance, though unable to find the scoresheet and even though against Blackpool he dropped from a 9/10, he was still a 7 and made his mark.

Archer thrives on space in behind, of which he found more against Watford than against a compact Tangerines outfit, but still managed to stylishly outmanoeuvre a solid Championship defender like Charlie Goode, to set up Riley McGree’s early opening.

Archer has brought Middlesbrough’s attack to a whole new level with his pace, skill and direct running, as well as his willingness to engage in the rough-and-tumble.

The talent has already established an excellent understanding with Chuba Akpom, whose role Carrick has changed to maximum effect.

Altering Akpom’s role

Chuba Akpom featured just once for Middlesbrough last season, loaned out to PAOK in the Greek Super League, leaving many to expect the former Arsenal youngster to depart the Riverside in the summer.

Instead, such a move was not forthcoming and Akpom had a great pre-season with the Teessiders, so much so that he started the opening day 1-1 draw with West Brom.

The 27-year-old scored goals before Carrick came in, including one in the 4-1 victory at Wigan under the interim stewardship of Leo Percovic, but only after the appointment did Akpom find the form that has made him now regarded as one of the Championship’s top forwards.

Previously in Akpom’s career, the fact he’s a big, strong lad, albeit not especially tall at 6’0”, has meant he’s been pigeonholed as a physical focal point, as opposed to somebody who can play more off the cuff.

Carrick, though, has recognized the ex-Hull man’s technical proficiency, affording him a deeper forward role with more tactical freedom.

Sometimes Akpom drifts to the left to link play, sometimes he drops into midfield, yet despite this he’s still hitting the remarkable figures of 13 goals in his last 15 games in all competitions.

As opposed to acting as a marked man from the start of moves, because Akpom roams so freely he can’t be man-marked by opponents without them losing their shape, so the forward often pops up at the end of moves with late, unchartered runs – and has reaped the rewards.

Hackney’s expression

Some might be surprised at the impact Hayden Hackney has had on Middlesbrough this season.

The 20-year-old didn’t have the experience he was hoping for on loan at Scunthorpe last season, and while many allowances can be made for how difficult the environment at the then-League Two strugglers would have been for a lad finding his way, it wasn’t exactly a stint that screamed Championship stardom next year.

Hackney is rated incredibly highly internally, however, especially by Percovic, now Head of Player Pathway and Development, who gave the Scotland Under-21s talent his chance in his caretaker stint.

Having been a pass-happy midfielder in his playing days, Carrick has proved a suitable mentor for Hackney, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise this term.

The Redcar-born midfielder always offers himself in possession, he can open his body up for a long 
range pass but then play a crisper, more incisive ball through the lines if that becomes favourable.

Not only that, Hackney has an aptitude for sliding challenges, he can carry the ball forward and is not afraid to shoot from range.

With a mixture of smooth maturity in his game and energetic dynamism, Hackney – like Akpom – has come to prominence under Carrick’s guidance.

With Jonny Howson bringing experience and nous, while Riley McGree’s frenetic energy and direct running makes him ideal for supporting Giles defensively as well as offering a threat on turnovers, Middlesbrough’s midfield setup under Carrick takes some beating.

The future

England

Gareth Southgate will stay for Euro 2024, but it might be a stretch for Carrick to be in the conversation to replace the waistcoat-donning boss if the vacancy opens up immediately after that.

If Southgate remains for World Cup 2026 in North America, however, it’s possible that Carrick is advanced enough in his club career to enter that conversation.

A lot can change between now and then, of course, and the pool of realistic next England manager candidates may be bigger and more appealing by that point.

The other question is whether it may be premature to judge Carrick’s potential on less than four months of Championship form: he hasn’t achieved anything yet.

However, it’s no secret that the 41-year-old’s playing reputation counts for something – not everything, of course – but something, when it comes to motivating players and getting them to buy into his ideas.

Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United are likely to have Erik ten Hag as manager for a long time, and may not have a vacancy for a while, but Tottenham’s relationship with Antonio Conte looks a little less secure in the long-term.

Spurs could at some point be in the market for a young, talented manager, as they may have to rebuild once the star players that got them to the Champions League Final in 2019 decline, especially if they’re unable to secure regular top four berths.

They may, in a couple of years, be tempted by their former midfielder’s potential, if his stint on Teesside goes as well as one imagines it can.

If Carrick can take Boro up this season or next, keep them up then lead them into the midtable of the Premier League with a system that’s exciting yet responsible defensively, then perhaps the world is his oyster!