West Ham eye Michael Carrick to replace Julen Lopetegui as pressure ramps up
West Ham are weighing up a move for Michael Carrick should they sack Julen Lopetegui with the current Middlesbrough boss impressing with the Championship outfit
West Ham will consider swooping for Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick if the Hammers decide to sack Julen Lopetegui.
Carrick, 43, is one of the names high up on the shortlist at West Ham. Boro would not want to lose their manager who is helping to build a promotion push in the Championship. But West Ham are eager - if they decide to change - to bring in a manager with an attractive style of football and a link to the club.
Carrick began his career at West Ham and made over 100 appearances before a move to Tottenham in 2004. He would go on to win numerous trophies at Manchester United but is still remembered fondly at West Ham.
The club’s directors are deliberating what to do with Lopetegui. They’ve had a poor start to the season but they’re willing to give him some more time, starting on Monday when they face Wolves.
READ MORE: Fulham boss Marco Silva reminds Arsenal of weakness ahead of Premier League clashREAD MORE: Dele Alli theory explains reason for sudden decline as ex-Everton star faces new set backIt looked like a 3-1 defeat by Leicester would be the final straw for Lopetegui but the club were considerate of the fact West Ham had more than enough chances to win the game.
So they will give him more time to prove himself but West Ham are 14th and have lost seven games. If they were to lose to relegation candidates Wolves - Lopetegui’s old club - on Monday night then that would surely be the end for the former Real Madrid manager.
Carrick would then be on the shortlist of replacements and in contention.
The ex-United star was a player and then a coach at Old Trafford. He briefly took caretaker charge of the club when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in 2021. Since moving to Middlesbrough he has taken them to the play-offs and they're again in the mix this term.
Lopetegui has remained defiant despite results, the latest being a loss at Leicester, and said on his future: "I have big commitment to my work, always, and I am very happy to stay at West Ham. We are going to change the situation."
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