When Michael Carrick arrived as Middlesbrough boss in October 2022, it capped somewhat of a full circle for the legendary former Manchester United midfielder.
Carrick, now 43, grew up in Wallsend, less than an hours drive from the Riverside Stadium, before he spent three years in Middlesbrough’s Centre of Excellence.
The 34-cap England international eventually broke through at West Ham and went on to enjoy a glittering career with the Hammers, Tottenham and United, winning everything there is to win at Old Trafford.
He began his coaching journey by overseeing a United Under 14s team that included Mason Greenwood and Anthony Elanga, and progressed to the first team where he worked under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following his retirement.