Darren Bent has told TalkSPORT that Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick cannot turn Tottenham down if Spurs make a move for the highly-rated gaffer as a replacement for Antonio Conte – with Carrick shining as Boro manager.
Carrick, 41, joined Boro with the Championship side languishing outside of the play-offs. But, in 22 games, Carrick has secured 15 wins as Middlesbrough boss, pushing the Teesside club to within an inch of automatic promotion places.
Boro missed the chance to close the gap on second to just a point on Tuesday night, drawing 1-1 with Stoke City on Tuesday night. Sheffield United could now extend the lead on Wednesday night to six points, if they beat Sunderland.
Asked if Carrick could be the man to replace Conte – given he is an ex-Tottenham midfielder – Bent responded. He said that while he thinks the jump to Spurs from Boro is too large, he thinks Carrick cannot turn it down if offered the role.
“Even if Middlesbrough don’t get promoted, he’s going to have Premier League clubs looking at him. If someone offers you that type of job – I think the jump is too big – but if someone offers you that, you can’t turn it down.
“Because you don’t know if it will come up again. If Boro are not in the Premier League next season, with the job he’s done, he’ll be in the Premier League next season,” Bent told TalkSPORT on Tuesday afternoon, in a video on YouTube.
Bent says Carrick cannot turn Tottenham down if Spurs make move
Carrick is only new in terms of his managerial career. But he has impressed in his two managerial spells, the first winning two of three games as caretaker manager at Manchester United. A record of 15 wins in 22 at Boro is stunning.
Bent is right to predict that Carrick will be in the Premier League next term – whether that is with Boro, or another club. Is Tottenham too far a step up? Probably. Spurs are targeting the likes of Luis Enrique. But in the future, who knows?
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