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Any managerial casualty in the Championship will get some national attention, but’s fair to say Middlesbrough’s decision to sack Michael Carrick on Wednesday got just a little bit more than

usual. That comes with the territory of having a Manchester United legend in charge, with Carrick’s name, his past and also his reputation making it a big story for the national media. His

time at Boro comes to an end after two-and-a-half years, following a disappointing tenth-placed finish last term. What’s interesting is that, beyond Teesside, there always seems to have been

a more positive perception of Carrick and the job he was doing at Boro in comparison to on Teesside itself. It ultimately stems back to the successful impact he had when he first started,

with that impressive early spell ultimately enhancing a reputation and sticking. While Carrick continued to show many positives and strengths in his young coaching career, over the past two

seasons, reports linking him with a return to former clubs West Ham and Tottenham felt far too premature. Incredibly, just 24 hours before he was sacked by Boro, his former team-mate Joe

Cole was even telling Spurs to appoint him there if they decide to sack Ange Postecoglou this summer. While Carrick will almost certainly not struggle to land another job, it would be a

major shock if it ends up being above Championship level. Nevertheless, his name alone made this a big story - though many showed understanding of the decision made despite the outside

perception. Here’s a look at how the national media reported Boro’s decision. THE MIRROR The Mirror wrote: “Carrick made a brilliant start to life as Boro manager, in his first coaching role

after a brief stint as United caretaker. He won 16 of his first 23 games in charge, guiding his team from the relegation zone to the play-offs, before losing in the semi-finals to Coventry.

“They reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup in his second season in charge, but ended up finishing 8th in the Championship, just short of the play-offs. His third season, when a shot

at promotion was missed again, has now proven fatal.” THE SUN There wasn’t much surprise with the decision at the Sun. In a video posted on their website from Northern Correspondent Gary

Stonehouse, while the shock of those outside of Teesside was acknowledged, Gary went on to explain exactly why there has been so much disillusionment for many Boro fans in recent months. In

explaining why he was so capable of nailing the situation, Gary is a Teessider and a regular at both Rockliffe and the Riverside. The initial breaking news story from the Sun written by

Etienne Fermie, was headlined ‘Carr Crash’ and described the club’s announcement as a ‘blunt 60-word statement’. In an expert panel within that piece, Gary questioned: “Finally the

inevitable has happened - but what took Middlesbrough so long? The decision to sack Michael Carrick now - four weeks after the season finished - does feel a bit too little, too late.” THE

DAILY MAIL The Daily Mail went with the more surprised verdict. Their headline read: “Michael Carrick's contract is terminated by Middlesbrough - despite highly-rated ex-Man United

coach leading club's revival against the odds.” Within the piece they wrote: “The former Manchester United midfielder, who has developed into a highly-rated coach, had signed a new

three-year contract last summer. No doubt plenty of sides will be alive to the prospect of Carrick taking charge of a new project. The former United and England international has already

built an impressive reputation in the dugout, well liked by players with a clear philosophy.” THE INDEPENDENT The Independent offered context, writing: “Boro won just one of their final six

games in 2024/25 to finish 10th in the table, four points outside the play-off spots. This was the second consecutive season Carrick had failed to deliver a top-six finish, after managing to

reach the play-offs in 2022/23.” THE GUARDIAN Writing for the Guardian, Louise Taylor reported: “Although the former England and Manchester United midfielder was liked and admired by Boro’s

owner, Steve Gibson, his failure to lead the team out of the Championship ensured his first managerial posting ended in disappointment. “Although Boro often played attractive football their

failure to translate possession into points undid a manager who never seemed to master the knack of making the right substitutions at the right moment. Well before the team finished 10th

last month, underwhelmed Riverside regulars were becoming seriously disgruntled.” THE ATHLETIC The Athletic ended their report by pointing out: “Middlesbrough have remained in the

Championship since their relegation from the Premier League in 2017. That fourth-place finish under Carrick was their best since relegation and only the second time the Riverside Stadium

club had made the play-offs.” THE TIMES Offering insight into the timing and process, the Times wrote: “The 43-year-old is believed to have known his time in charge at the Riverside Stadium

was coming to an end on Tuesday night and his exit was confirmed on Wednesday. The Middlesbrough owner and chairman, Steve Gibson, attended a meeting with Carrick at the club’s Hurworth

training ground. “Gibson had been eager for Carrick, who was appointed in October 2022, to succeed. The former Manchester United and England midfielder was given more time to turn results

around towards the end of the season but ultimately a tenth-place finish in the Championship sounded the end.” DAILY STAR Like the Sun, the Daily Star also described Boro’s statement as

‘blunt’. Within their piece, they wrote: “The former Manchester United midfielder was the Championship’s longest-serving manager but has paid the price for the club’s disappointing end to

the season.”