Michael Carrick has told Leicester City what they want to hear as next manager search advances

Michael Carrick is one of the names in the picture to become the next permanent Leicester City manager following Steve Cooper's sacking.

On Sunday the club announced they had parted ways with Cooper after only 12 matches in charge. The Foxes sit 16th in the Premier League on 10 points, having won only two this season after the latest defeat to Enzo Maresca's Chelsea.

The Italian looked destined to lead the team back into top-flight mere months ago, but the situation in the dugout needs resolving once more. One question being asked is could Carrick be the answer?

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As the situation developed on Monday, the 43-year-old's odds to be appointed dropped from 33/1 to 4/1.

The former Manchester United midfielder made his step into coaching after retiring in 2018, joining Jose Mourinho's staff at Old Trafford at the same time Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna. He carried this role right through to once Ole Gunnar Solksjaer was sacked in 2021, at which point he stepped in as caretaker for two matches.

His record was two wins from two - beating Villarreal to advance in the Champions League knockouts before achieving the same result against Arsenal in the Premier League.

Upon the appointment of Ralf Rangnick until the end of that 2021/22 season, Carrick departed immediately and in October 2022 he was snapped up by Championship side Middlesbrough.

At that stage they were 21st in the division having collected 17 points from 16 matches. They ended the 2022/23 term in fourth, qualifying for the play-offs though fell at the semi-final hurdle.

He boasts a 50.4 percent win-rate in the Championship, averaging 1.69 points per match, so it is not a surprise Leicester are the latest club named with rumour of offering Carrick the platform to jump up a tier.

And the former England midfielder has spoken about the prospect of stepping up a division.

"The level [of the Premier League] is so high and it’s just tough to make it there — there’s nothing in that, there’s no embarrassment, just is what it is," the man in question recently told The Sunday Times.

However, proving he has the desire to make it in this tough environment, he added: "There are [foreign] managers now that are top, top level, Pep [Guardiola] and others. So it’s tough to be a top manager in England. But it was tough to be a top player.

"The level [of the Premier League] is so high and it’s just tough to make it there — there’s nothing in that, there’s no embarrassment, just is what it is.

"It’s up to any coach, me, others, to be good enough to compete with the top coaches, just as we had to as footballers. We’re just in a different part of the business now but you’re still pushing to try to be the best you can."

Carrick signed a deal at Riverside until 2027, therefore negotiations will be required to have him installed at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes' decision-makers are wanting their next man appointed swiftly, ideally in time for the coming weekend's trip to Brentford.

And Carrick's words have shown Leicester exactly what they want to see as they eye a move for the Middlesbrough boss - and that he would relish the challenge of working in the top-flight.