Middlesbrough have reportedly made the decision to retain the services of head coach Michael Carrick.
The North-East outfit have spent much of the season in close proximity to the playoff places in the Championship table.
However, four successive defeats have left Boro sitting in 11th position in the standings, four points adrift of the top six.
With Middlesbrough having prevailed from just two of their last 12 games in all competitions, Carrick's future at the Riverside Stadium has been put into some doubt.
According to Scott Wilson, the chief reporter of the Northern Echo, the club's hierarchy have given their backing to the Englishman, rather than been tempted into a change.
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Carrick to remain in Middlesbrough dugout
The report alleges that chairman Steve Gibson is of the opinion that the 43-year-old can still deliver promotion to the Premier League come the end of the season.
Carrick has recorded 57 victories from his 122 matches in charge since October 2022, Middlesbrough having finished in fourth and eighth position respectively.
Middlesbrough's most recent defeats had been to in-form sides such as Sunderland and Sheffield United, but defeat at home to Watford last weekend brought a hostile reaction from some section of fans.
Instead of the club's board responding in a negative light, they intend to back Carrick, helped by his 'integrity and leadership' behind the scenes.
Furthermore, Carrick has just been allowed to acquire a number of fresh faces during the winter transfer window and will seemingly be given time to work with the new arrivals.
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Temptation avoided
Reports had indicated that former Nottingham Forest and Leicester City boss Steve Cooper was being considered as a replacement for Carrick.
There are other notable British managers without a job that may also jump at any chance to manage a club of Middlesbrough's size.
Nevertheless, it appears that Boro prefer continuity over change, Carrick already the longest-serving Middlesbrough manager by some distance since Aitor Karanka departed in 2017.
Darren Plant
