Michael Carrick is not in the frame to replace David Moyes as West Ham boss as the club have “bigger targets”, according to Graeme Bailey.
The HITC journalist told Boro News that the former Irons midfielder is happy at Middlesbrough and a new contact is likely on the cards at the Riverside rather than an exit to the London Stadium in the summer.
With Moyes’ contract set to expire at the end of the season and an extension currently shelved, Bailey says regular links to Carrick are wide of the mark, with bigger names being looked at instead.
Bailey said: “He’s happy here [Middlesbrough]. I don’t think particularly he’s on anyone’s list at the moment; he’s always linked to West Ham but my understanding is West Ham have got some bigger targets to replace Moyes at the moment. I think that’ll get done [new Middlesbrough contract for Carrick] before the start of next season.”
Former West Ham midfielder not in line to come in at London Stadium. Although Carrick has history with the club and even spent a season in the then-First Division before leaving for Tottenham in 2004 he is unlikely to be a satisfactory option as the next manager now.
He has had a relatively successful time at Middlesbrough, guiding them to the Championship play off semi finals last season, and a League Cup semi final this term, but if Moyes does depart this summer the Irons are likely to need a more established coach than the 42-year-old who is currently 11th in the second tier and has only two campaigns as a manager under his belt.
Since David Sullivan and the West Ham board have seemingly been unable to decide a clear course of action for over a year now there is still no guarantee that there even will be a managerial change.
The sentiment appears to change with every couple of results, and while the 2024 slump had been lifted by a pair of wins over Brentford and Everton it was hardly part of the plan to be held to a draw at home by bottom side Burnley at the weekend.
Tim Steidten and David Moyes have not seen eye to eye at West Ham United. If Moyes doesn’t go it appears Tim Steidten might, since the pair have seemingly not seen eye to eye ever since the German arrived, and with the manager not enamoured with operating in such a set up.
Either way, if a new man does take the reins it apparently won’t be Carrick returning to the top flight after a caretaker spell in charge of Manchester United.
In other West Ham news, a behind-the-scenes update has emerged on Jarrod Bowen’s status at the club.
