Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick insists he has had ‘no communication’ with Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace since the sacking of Patrick Vieira, speaking to ITV’s EFL Highlights Show.
There was to be no ‘post-manager bounce’ for Palace on Sunday afternoon. A 4-1 thumping at league leaders Arsenal, coupled with a win from Leeds United and draws for Southampton and Leicester City, means the gap between The Eagles and the relegation zone now stands at just three points.
A gap which is closing by the week.
Vieira, who guided Crystal Palace to a 3-0 thumping of Mikel Arteta’s side less than 12 months ago, paid the price for a dismal run of form on Friday. But, as Leeds and Southampton will tell you, finding a coach willing to sign on in the midst of a relegation battle is no easy task.
Will Middlesbrough’s Michael Carrick replace Patrick Vieira at Crystal Palace?
The Guardian believes that Vincent Kompany and Michael Carrick are high on Crystal Palace’s managerial wishlist. But why would either coach walk away – with Burnley and Middlesbrough very much in the promotion mix – for a team they could be about to swap divisions with in the coming weeks?
Carrick, following Middlesbrough’s 4-0 crushing of Preston North End, insisted that there has been no contact with Crystal Palace. Not yet, anyway.
“No communication,” says the Manchester United legend. “I am delighted to be here with this great group of players. (Middlesbrough is) a great club. The supporters have been incredible with me as well.
“I’m delighted to watch the team play like they did today (vs Preston). And hopefully there will be some more of them between now and the end of the season.”
Veteran former boss Roy Hodgson has been linked with a shock Selhurst Park return. Sky Sports, meanwhile, believe that ex-Borussia Monchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt coach Adi Hutter is another who has been spoken to in the aftermath of Vieira’s dismissal.
Lucien Favre, a coach Palace owner Steve Parish admires, is also available following his January exit from Nice.
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