Middlesbrough make decision over sacking Michael Carrick as pressure builds on Boro boss

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Middlesbrough have decided to stick with under-pressure manager Michael Carrick for now, with the board giving him a vote of confidence, EFL Analysis understands.

Boro have been on a poor run of form as of late, losing four of their last five matches, which has put their play-off push at a halt.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
6	West BromWest Brom	33	11	15	7	42	31	11	48
7	CoventryCoventry	33	13	8	12	44	41	3	47
8	Bristol CityBristol City	33	11	13	9	41	37	4	46
9	Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday	33	12	9	12	46	50	-4	45
10	WatfordWatford	33	13	6	14	43	48	-5	45
11	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	32	12	8	12	50	43	7	44
12	NorwichNorwich	33	11	11	11	51	45	6	44
13	QPRQPR	33	11	11	11	39	41	-2	44
14	MillwallMillwall	32	10	11	11	32	33	-1	41
15	PrestonPreston	32	9	14	9	34	38	-4	41

Four points currently separate the Teesside outfit from sixth-placed West Bromwich Albion – though they have a game in hand – with the pressure cranking up on Michael Carrick to deliver a quick turnaround.

Middlesbrough have clear ambitions of a return to the Premier League, following significant investment over the summer and January transfer windows, though that includes some huge losses to the squad too.

With Carrick facing a challenge to keep his job and the promotion race alive, owner Steve Gibson has made his decision on the Middlesbrough manager’s future for now.

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Middlesbrough back Michael Carrick amid sacking fears

Michael Carrick is under pressure at Middlesbrough after a run that has seen them slowly slip away from the Championship play-off places.

There have been fears over a possible dismissal of the manager, with him currently in his third season with the side.

However, TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey has revealed to EFL Analysis that Carrick is still being backed by the Middlesbrough board.

The head coach has been given the “vote of confidence” for the future, however, that doesn’t mean unlimited leeway.

Steve Gibson is backing him but that could change if form doesn’t turn around in the coming weeks of the season.

That starts with a huge match on Friday evening as Middlesbrough make the trip to face Bristol City next in the Championship.

Three points could put Boro back in prime position to land a top-six spot, while a defeat could see them slip even further away.

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Middlesbrough’s January transfer window spend

Middlesbrough had something of a mixed January transfer window as signings and exits alike caused plenty of change.

Moves for Emmanuel Latte Lath to Atalanta and Isaiah Jones to Luton were among the big exits from the squad, perhaps weakening the options available to Carrick.

Boro did push hard to back him though, spending big to land Morgan Whittaker from Plymouth, while George Edmundson made a loan move from Ipswich permanent.

Loan deals were completed for Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Iling-Junior, Ryan Giles and Mark Travers to further boost the squad.

So far though, it hasn’t been the impact that the manager would’ve wanted from the new recruits across the fixtures they have featured.

With some more favourable fixtures around the corner, it’ll be key for Carrick to get those new signings hitting the ground running and picking up results again.