By Daniel Feliciano

11th Mar, 2023 | 7:30pm

Michael Carrick responds to West Ham United managers job links

Michael Carrick has admitted it’s pleasing to be linked with the West Ham manager’s job but says he is committed to Middlesbrough right now.

Carrick has been boosted into the spotlight as a manager this season after taking over at Middlesbrough and guiding them to a playoff spot in the Championship.

As an ex-West Ham midfielder that has seen him linked as a potential replacement should David Moyes get sacked following the club’s relegation battle, but Carrick told his pre-match press conference, as quoted by Football.London (11 March) that he is loving life at the Riverside but wishes West Ham well for the season.

“I’m delighted to be here. Why wouldn’t I be? We’ve got a terrific club and a terrific group of players, and I’m loving working with them. I’m looking forward to a big end to the season,” said Carrick.

“In some ways, it’s pleasing (to be linked with Premier League clubs), but to be honest, I don’t really listen to it or watch it. It’s not something that really bothers me.

“What goes on, on the outside, goes on, on the outside. Over the years, I’ve kind of hardened myself to that. I don’t tend to pay too much attention to it. I obviously know what’s going on, but I’m just loving being here at the moment, with the players and staff, and the club in a really good place.”

“I started at West Ham as a young boy and it’s a fantastic football club, but I know David well, played under him and have huge respect for him. I think for me to comment on anything would be hugely unfair, and I wouldn’t do that,” Carrick added.

“What I will say is that I hope they have a fantastic end to the season with David and the club because it’s a fantastic place and David is a good man. I really wish them all the success.”

Sensible

Just like in his playing days at the highest level, it seems like Carrick is going to be super sensible when it comes to the decisions he makes as a manager.

Carrick has taken Boro from a relegation battle to a genuine contender for promotion via the playoffs, playing controlling and exciting football and getting the best out of the talent he had in his squad.

He would know exactly what the fans at the London Stadium would be expecting having come through the academy at West Ham and played for the club in the Premier League before.

But he’s hugely inexperienced and is yet to really face any adversity in his young career, and while he’s the shiny new tour and a lot of fans just want anyone in to replace David Moyes right now, it’s not necessarily the best decision.

Something needs to change, that much is evident at West Ham, but whether Carrick is the man to step in is still certainly up for debate so it’s probably a good thing that he’s content where he is and not pushing for the move.