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Middlesbrough have confirmed their new boss will be Manchester United legend Michael Carrick – who will take his first job since leaving the Red Devils.
In a statement, Carrick said: "I’m really excited to be here and to be part of a club with such a deep history and tradition. Middlesbrough was the first professional club I played for as a nine-year old boy, so it’s a very special feeling to be back here as a head coach.
"Growing up in the north-east myself I’m fully aware of what football means to people. It’s a real privilege for me to be in this position and to feel all the passion and enthusiasm you’ve got for the game and for Boro. I’ll give everything to help develop the team and keep moving the club forward and make you the supporters proud. I can’t wait to get started.”
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Carrick will be joined on Teeside by ex-Boro star Jonathan Woodgate.
Woodgate will return to the Riverside as a first team coach – having previously been the club’s head coach. The centre-back has also held roles in Boro's Under 18s side as well as guiding Bournemouth to the Championship Playoff's in 2021.
Boro chairman Steve Gibson said: “We had identified a number of potentials for the vacancy who we spoke with, and were impressed by all, but Michael was the outstanding candidate.
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"Michael has the same values as the club, and we are very much aligned in our ambitions. We see Michael as the perfect fit for us and he believes this is the right club at the right time.”
Boro had been looking for a permanent manager after sacking Chris Wilder was sacked, with Leo Percovich in interim charge; Carrick's first game will be at Preston in the Championship on Saturday.
It will be Carrick's first game in proffesional management since he left the Red Devils as interim boss last autumn, ahead of Ralf Rangnick's appointment.
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