- Man Utd confirm Michael Carrick as head coach
- Carrick tells Wayne Rooney he wants to win the Premier League
- Englishman signs two-year contract
Michael Carrick has officially started his reign as Manchester United‘s permanent head coach and he’s made interesting comments. The club announced the appointment of Carrick on a two-year deal on Friday (May 22nd).
This came on the same day that Pep Guardiola confirmed he is leaving Manchester City at the end of the season. The Old Trafford faithful will be hoping that this is the day on which the tide turns back in United’s favour in the Manchester rivalry.
Carrick even boasts a victory over Guardiola in the Spaniard’s final season in charge at the Etihad. That is, hopefully, a sign of major success on the horizon amid the club’s legendary former midfielder taking the reins.
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“That’s the goal” – Carrick on Premier League ambition
Carrick spoke to Wayne Rooney about becoming United head coach and what it means, given his connection to the club. They delved into their history together during the Sir Alex Ferguson era and what the future hopefully holds.
The 44-year-old gave an insight into the environment and why he’s made such an impact since replacing Ruben Amorim in January. He’s overseen 11 wins in 16 games, guiding United back to the Champions League:
“Right from the start, it’s been a really good place to come and work, the atmosphere, the relationships, it’s about that and building that with people. There’s a wavelength, there’s an understanding of what the reality is, where do we get to, how does it look like?”
Carrick is now tasked with taking United back to the top of English football. There is, of course, a recognition that it will take time and the summer transfer business will be crucial.
Rooney asked Carrick about the possibility of becoming the first manager to win the Premier League as a player and coach:
“I mean I’ll take that right now! I’d take it right now! That’s the goal isn’t it? You’ve got to believe it.”
Carrick knows the club from top to bottom, and he experienced its most dominant era under Ferguson. As his interim tenure progressed you could see the players were all playing for him and that connection is crucial.
United might not be ready for a Premier League title challenge next season but they should be building towards that objective. For now, the focus will be on ending the campaign with a win over Brighton & Hove Albion and having a successful summer transfer window.
How Carrick landed the job
When Carrick took over as interim coach, there had been an understanding that he’d only see out this season. This was largely why the club opted for the former Middlesbrough manager over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who seemingly wanted a view to a permanent appointment.
With the lack of top managerial candidates available and Carrick’s impact, it became clear he deserved the job. That was how Jason Wilcox reportedly saw it as the club’s sporting director reportedly oversaw the appointment process.
Steven Railston reports that Wilcox recommended to CEO Omar Berrada to appoint Carrick permanently. They then informed Sir Jim Ratcliffe of this plan, and he gave the green light, with all three believing he is the right man to take the club forward.
Carrick has signed a two-year deal with the option of a further year. He becomes the seventh permanent manager since Ferguson retired in 2013.
