Pundit Lee Hendrie believes Middlesbrough should continue with head coach Michael Carrick, despite claims that Rob Edwards could be in line for the post if the club decides to make a change.
Middlesbrough was as high as fifth in the Championship table in late January and appeared to be on track for a play-off spot, but a poor second half of the season saw them miss out on the top six, with Carrick’s side eventually finishing in an underwhelming tenth place.
| 2024-25 Championship table | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 9 | West Brom | 46 | 10 | 64 |
| 10 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 8 | 64 |
| 11 | Swansea City | 46 | -5 | 61 |
| 12 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | -9 | 58 |
| 13 | Norwich City | 46 | 3 | 57 |
| 14 | Watford | 46 | -8 | 57 |
| 15 | QPR | 46 | -10 | 56 |
| 16 | Portsmouth | 46 | ||
After the 2-0 defeat at Coventry City on the final day, Carrick insisted that he wants to stay in charge at the Riverside Stadium, but as FLW exclusively revealed earlier this month, the 43-year-old is under threat of dismissal, and club officials are currently believed to be conducting an internal review of the campaign before making any major decisions.
On Sunday, journalist Alan Nixon stated that Boro are looking to sign head of football Kieran Scott to a new deal, which “could put some pressure” on Carrick, with former Luton Town manager Rob Edwards thought to have “admirers” at the club.
Edwards has been out of work since leaving Kenilworth Road in January, when the Hatters were just outside the relegation zone. However, the 42-year-old was linked with the Teesside club prior to Carrick’s appointment in 2022, and it remains to be seen whether they will renew their interest in him this summer.
Lee Hendrie pushes Middlesbrough to continue with Michael Carrick amid the Rob Edwards chatter.
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie backed Edwards to return to management this summer after taking a break following his departure from Luton, but he believed it would be a mistake for Middlesbrough to cut ways with Carrick.
“Rob Edwards has admirers at Middlesbrough while Michael Carrick’s future remains uncertain,” according to Hendrie.
“Would he make a good appointment? To be honest, I’m just waiting for anything to happen for Rob.
“He’s proven himself to be an excellent manager, having led Forest Green and Luton to promotions.
“Obviously, he faces relegation, but it’s always difficult to make that step up.
“The problem is we saw how Luton declined massively after relegation, Rob couldn’t get them going and that’s why they ended up making a change.”
I understand Rob wanted some time off to assess a few things, but I believe he’ll be working in the summer; I can’t see how he won’t be.
I simply think it has to be a very decent fit for him because he is capable of bringing a football club forward.
“I’ve said before that I’d like to see Carrick continue at Middlesbrough, but I’d also want to see Rob Edwards get an opportunity someplace.
“I think he will definitely be in a job by the summer, but I think Carrick will remain at Middlesbrough, they would be crazy to start changing things.”
Luton Town’s terrible performance might lose Rob Edwards his Middlesbrough job.
Middlesbrough won only eight of their final 25 games of the season, falling short of the play-offs despite having a roster that appeared capable of finishing in the top six, so they must make a huge decision on Carrick’s future.
It may be argued that, following an amazing first season in command, Boro have regressed under Carrick’s leadership in subsequent years, but while a change is required, there are serious doubts about whether Edwards is the proper alternative.
Luton were expected to be among the Championship’s promotion contenders this season, but their poor form under Edwards contributed significantly to their eventual relegation, and with the Hatters’ infamous 5-1 defeat at the Riverside Stadium in November likely to still be fresh in the minds of Boro supporters, his appointment may not go over well on Teesside.
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