Michael Carrick Lands New Job Three Months After Middlesbrough Exit

Michael Carrick has landed a new job just three months after his Middlesbrough departure.

Carrick was sacked by Middlesbrough in June, after two and a half years in charge of the Championship outfit.

The 44-year-old took over in October 2022 for his first role in management and guided them to a play-off finish in his maiden campaign, before missing out on a top-six spot in the subsequent two seasons.

However, Carrick, who won five Premier League titles, three League Cups and a Champions League in 12 years as a player at Manchester United, has landed himself a new role as a pundit on Prime Video.

The former midfielder will lend his expertise to Prime’s coverage of Tottenham’s Champions League encounter with Villarreal in the competition's league phase.

In addition to winning the Champions League with Manchester United, Carrick spent two seasons at Tottenham between 2004 and 2006 before moving to Old Trafford for £14 million.

Spurs make their Champions League return on Tuesday, having not competed in Europe’s premier competition since the 2022/23 campaign.

For manager Thomas Frank, who joined Tottenham from Brentford in the summer, it will be a first first-ever taste of Champions League football.

Michael Carrick departed Middlesbrough in the summer (Credit:Getty)

The Dane’s only European experience before this season was a pair of fruitless Europa League qualifying campaigns while at Brondby.

Tottenham enter the game buoyed by three wins from their first four Premier League matches, while Villarreal have won two of their opening four games in La Liga.

Ahead of the game, Frank said: "It's a big thing. I'm hugely looking forward to it. I know it'll be special when we have that Champions League anthem playing.

"Now it's preparation, there's a few more cameras, but it's business as usual. When we all go out onto the pitch tomorrow then it'll be special.

"I believe I have a fantastic squad and we would like to go as far as possible. I think the most important thing is that it's one game at a time. Villarreal are a very good team, I've been very impressed when I've studied them, but we'll do everything we can to get a good start. It's going to be a good challenge."

Villarreal are making their first appearance in the Champions League since being knocked out by Liverpool in the competition’s semi-final in the 2021/22 season.

Former Spurs player Juan Foyth will likely be among the starting XI for Villarreal, with their squad also set to include former Chelsea player Renato Veiga, the Spaniards’ new club-record signing.