Michael Carrick wants the Middlesbrough job and is already eyeing Mike Phelan and Rene Meulensteen to work alongside him.
Boro took the decision to sack Chris Wilder last Monday, bringing an end to his time in charge at the Riverside Stadium.
Boro were backed as one of the favourites for promotion but instead won just twice in 11 games to start the Championship season.
A replacement is now needed and Boro look set to go down the route of hiring a young coach for the future.
Michael Carrick wants the Middlesbrough job
Rob Edwards appeared to be a favourite after leaving Watford but Michael Carrick has emerged as a very real target.
Reports from BBC Sport suggested that Boro wanted to hold talks with Carrick – a boyhood Newcastle United fan – about taking over from Wilder.
It now seems that Carrick could be in line for the job, especially having allegedly planned out his coaching staff already.
The Sun claim that Carrick wants to bring former Manchester United duo Mike Phelan and Rene Meulensteen to Middlesbrough with him.
Phelan, 60, is famed for his two spells as Manchester United assistant manager and also managed Hull City in the 2016-2017 season.
Phelan worked with Carrick in both of those United spells so a reunion would make perfect sense.
Dutchman Meulensteen was also part of United’s coaching staff during Carrick’s playing days and they could join forces once again.
These would be clever moves from Carrick, who will appreciate that is a young coach potentially entering his first full-time managerial post.
Adding two experienced coaches in Phelan and Meulensteen would give him a great support system, especially with a club like Boro where expectations will be high in the Championship.
Boro are considering other managers – like Carlos Corberan – but Carrick will hope to secure this job and get his managerial career started.
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