Michael Carrick targeted by Premier League club for manager role

Michael Carrick is widely regarded as one of the most underrated and intelligent midfielders of his generation, having anchored the Manchester United engine room during one of the most successful eras in the club’s history.

After starting his career at West Ham United and moving to Tottenham Hotspur, he arrived at Old Trafford in 2006 for £18 million, where he would go on to make 464 appearances and score 24 goals over twelve trophy-laden years.

His haul at United is legendary, including five Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League, the FA Cup, and the Europa League.

Following his retirement in 2018, he transitioned seamlessly into coaching, working under both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before enjoying an unbeaten three-game stint as United’s caretaker manager in 2021.

He took his first permanent head coaching role at Middlesbrough in October 2022, where he earned immediate praise for transforming the team’s style and leading them to the Championship play-offs in his debut season.

However, after failing to secure a top-six finish in the following two campaigns, Carrick was sacked by Middlesbrough in June 2025 following a disappointing 10th-placed finish.

Since leaving the Riverside, he has been working as a high-level pundit for Prime Video.

Both West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City have reportedly identified him as a top target to take over their dugouts.

Now, a return to his roots at the London Stadium could be on the cards as West Ham United’s board begins to lose patience with their current managerial situation.

Owner David Sullivan is reportedly unconvinced by Nuno Espirito Santo, who has struggled significantly since taking over from Graham Potter back in September.

It has emerged that Sullivan was originally keen on bringing back former manager and fan-favourite Slaven Bilic when Potter was first sacked, but he was eventually talked into hiring Nuno by other board members.

But the focus has now shifted toward Michael Carrick as a potential replacement, according to talkSPORT.

The pressure on Nuno reached a breaking point following a dismal loss at Molineux, leaving West Ham with a shocking record of just two wins in fifteen matches under his leadership.

As the club looks to avoid the drop, Carrick is said to be high on the shortlist of candidates who could step in and turn the season around before it’s too late.

The hierarchy at the London Stadium have reportedly sounded out Carrick in the past, and they may finally be ready to bring the former Hammer home to save their Premier League status.