Michael Carrick makes 'lucky' claim as Middlesbrough boss moves closer to Championship record

Michael Carrick feels lucky to be at a club like Middlesbrough as Mark Robins' Coventry City dismissal highlighted the often bonkers game that football management can be - leaving Carrick as the second-longest serving manager in the Championship.

Despite having only just recently celebrated two years in the Boro hotseat, only Derby County boss Paul Warne has been in charge of a current Championship club for longer. That comes after Coventry shocked many by ending Robins' seven years in charge at the CBS Arena after a disappointing start to the season saw them 17th in the table.

Management can certainly be a brutal profession in the modern game with time rarely given to many managers in such a results-driven business. Despite a recent lack of time for head coaches, Boro owner Steve Gibson is still regarded as one of football's best for giving time - and indeed the current mood at Boro is one of patience and long-term building with Carrick a central part of that after handing him a new three-year contact in the summer.

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When asked about football's sacking-managers culture, Carrick said: "Maybe it is. I don't think about it that way, to be honest. We're totally focused on trying to improve things here and seeing where that can take us.

"It's the only way to do it. I'm lucky to be here at a club that backs us the way they do, and that is so stable. It is. When you throw it at me like that, it's a little bit strange, but that's the business, I suppose."

In some respect, Carrick would be forgiven for being ever so slightly relieved to see the back of Robins. The former Sky Blues boss had not lost a game against Carrick, which included Saturday's 3-0 win at the Riverside as well as the play-off semi-final in May 2022. While Carrick referenced that jokingly, he was naturally sad to see a fellow professional lose their job.

"It's really unfortunate and sad to hear," Carrick said of Robins' departure. "Listen, I know when we've come up against him we haven't had a great record but the way he's gone about it and the contact I've had with him, he's been fantastic with me. I've been really impressed with him.

"I'm really sorry to see him go. He's done an unbelievable job, to be there seven years and carry them though the experiences and the highs they've had. It's a sad day. I liked him a lot and still do. I'm sure he'll be back and successful in the future."