Middlesbrough fans in complete agreement about Gary O’Neil replacing Michael Carrick as manager

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Middlesbrough ended their 2024/25 Championship season in disappointing fashion and the future of Michael Carrick is being called into question.

Middlesbrough were beaten by Coventry City on May 3, ending their already small hopes of reaching the play-offs.

Before the game had even finished, one Sky Sports commentator questioned Carrick’s Boro future after guiding them to their lowest finish since he joined.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
6	Bristol CityBristol City	46	17	17	12	59	55	4	68
7	BlackburnBlackburn	46	19	9	18	53	48	5	66
8	MillwallMillwall	46	18	12	16	47	49	-2	66
9	West BromWest Brom	46	15	19	12	57	47	10	64
10	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	46	18	10	18	64	56	8	64
11	SwanseaSwansea	46	17	10	19	51	56	-5	61
12	Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday	46	15	13	18	60	69	-9	58
13	NorwichNorwich	46	14	15	17	71	68	3	57

The ex-midfielder took the Teessiders to the Championship play-offs with a fourth-place finish in 2022/23 before ending last term sat seventh.

We understand Steve Gibson will asses Middlesbrough’s managerial situation in the coming days, with former player Gary O’Neil already putting his name into the hat should the role become available.

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Middlesbrough fans don’t want Gary O’Neil as manager

O’Neil played over 100 games for Middlesbrough and scored 10 goals during a four-year spell from 2007 to 2011.

However, Boro fans do not seem overly keen on the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers boss making a return to the Riverside Stadium.

One fan wrote: “Not a chance. He’d be vilified before he started. He’s not popular in these parts.”

A second echoed: “Not a chance. Gary O Neil is toxic at the club.”

“The same Gary O’Neil that admitted to deliberately getting booked whilst at Boro so he could have time off to watch the US Masters. He can —- right off,” another replied.

A fourth simply stated: “Absolutely no thanks,” with another Middlesbrough fan adding: “Don’t want anyone who used to get red cards to play golf, I’d have Carrick all day long over Gary O’Neil.”

What Michael Carrick said about Middlesbrough future

A decision is yet to be made by Gibson, but Carrick commented on his Middlesbrough future already.

Speaking after the Coventry defeat at the weekend, he said: “I’m carrying on, we’ve got a good squad and my focus is carrying on to what I can say to the boys, today and tomorrow, and get ready for another good season.

“We’ve got a good squad, good stability within the group, we’re doing a lot of good things and if we can add to that, and improve, things can look up from there.”

EFL Analysis understands Lee Carsley is on Boro’s list, and Steve Cooper is of interest to the North East outfit.