Steve Cooper will ‘get the best’ out of £6m Middlesbrough man if he replaces Michael Carrick, expert says

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Steve Cooper could be the man to replace Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough if he is sacked.

There has been much talk around Michael Carrick leaving Middlesbrough since 2024/25 came to a close.

Boro were expected to mount a proper play-off push in the most recent campaign after keeping hold of all their top stars in the summer.

But Hayden Hackney is likely to leave, and as EFL Analysis revealed earlier on Wednesday, Carrick’s future was close to being decided.

We also shared that Boro have drawn up a shortlist of potential managerial candidates, and ex-Leicester City boss Steve Cooper sits at the top.

What Middlesbrough could expect from Steve Cooper

Cooper’s last job in management came early in 2024/25 when he took charge of Leicester.

The Englishman, who has had success with Nottingham Forest and Swansea City in the past, was sacked after 12 Premier League matches.

The Foxes then appointed Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took the club into the relegation zone and, ultimately, to the Championship.

Now, we have spoken to journalist Callum Boyle, who covered Cooper’s time at Leicester, to get an idea of what Boro could expect should he become their new manager.

On Cooper’s style of play, Boyle told us: “Cooper’s style is very different to Michael Carrick’s.

“Cooper likes to be more pragmatic and will favour using a counter-attacking style of play with his main focus on keeping goals out rather than being full throttle.”

Steve Cooper’s biggest strengths and weaknesses

When asked about Cooper’s strengths, Boyle backed the ex-Foxes boss to get the best out of Morgan Whittaker, who joined Middlesbrough in January for £6m, as per Teesside Live.

Boyle said: “Cooper has his favourites when it comes to players and he will trust them all the way.

“He worked with Morgan Whittaker at England youth level and Swansea City, so would almost certainly get the best out of him. As seen during his time at Nottingham Forest, those players thrive off having an arm around the shoulder.”

On potential weaknesses Boro could suffer under Cooper, he added: “I’d say one of his biggest weaknesses is failure to take accountability.

“At Forest and Leicester, blaming officials was a constant occurrence, and while that may sometimes have been justified, supporters grew tired of that excuse in his most recent job – especially when it was evident his tactical style wasn’t working.”