Middlesbrough have confirmed the addition of Graeme Carrick to Michael Carrick’s coaching staff this week.
There has been a lot of upheaval at Middlesbrough so far this summer, both on and off the pitch.
On the pitch, Middlesbrough have signed Luke Ayling from Leeds United, Delano Burgzorg from German outfit Mainz 05 and will confirm the addition of Columbus Crew midfielder Aidan Morris shortly.
Paddy McNair and Liam Roberts have also left the club this month following the expiration of their contracts.
Behind the scenes, meanwhile, Middlesbrough have lost a key member of Michael Carrick’s backroom staff.
Aaron Danks joined the Teessiders as a first-team coach in 2022 following spells with England, Anderlecht, and Aston Villa.
However, it was confirmed last week that Danks has left the Riverside to take up a role at Bayern Munich under Vincent Kompany.
The North East outfit have acted swiftly to replace Danks, with Middlesbrough confirming on June 25 that Graeme Carrick has joined the club as a first-team coach.
Graeme Carrick labelled ‘very good coach’ by Newcastle chief
Graeme, as you may have guessed from his second name, is the brother of current Middlesbrough manager, Michael.
Graeme Carrick joins Middlesbrough following a two-year spell as Newcastle United’s U18 manager.
Following the confirmation of Graeme’s move to Boro, Steve Harper, Newcastle’s academy director, has labelled the 39-year-old a ‘very good coach’, as per Teesside Live.
He said: “I would like to thank Graeme for his excellent work in developing our young players both on and off the pitch. Whenever a player of staff member moves on to first-team opportunities, whether it’s here or elsewhere, we can all be very proud of them.
“Middlesbrough are getting a great guy, a very good coach and we all wish him every success with his new role. The search for a new Under-18s lead coach has already begun.”
Who is Graeme Carrick
Graeme, born in Wallsend on April 3, 1985, began his career in coaching at Newcastle in October of 2005.
He spent two years as a youth coach with the Magpies before joining the England set-up in July 2007, also as a youth coach.
Graeme spent 15 years with the Three Lions, working with some of the brightest young talent in the country before his return to Newcastle in August 2022.
Like his brother, Graeme began his career as a player and was a part of West Ham United’s youth set-up.
However, his time on the pitch was cut short due to injury and he turned to coaching in 2005 as a result.
Graeme has a UEFA A License and his preferred formation when in charge of Newcastle’s U18 team was a 4-2-3-1, the same system his brother Michael has been using at Middlesbrough.
What will Graeme Carrick bring to Middlesbrough
Graeme had a significant role in youth development during his time with England, coaching children from 12-16 in what was called a DNA lead role.
Carrick’s expertise working with young players is something Middlesbrough can harness as they continue their ambitions to help prospects break through from the academy to the first team.
In an interview from 2019, Graeme was keen to stress the importance of developing youngsters as people, as well as players, as per Teesside Live.
He said: “It’s important to show the work we’re doing around DNA. First and foremost, it’s important that kids love playing the game. We need to develop them as people as well as players.”
As well as working well with young players, Graeme is one of just two Boro first-team coaches, along with Jonathan Woodgate, to have any experience as a manager.
And while some coaches may take some time to adjust to working under a new manager, Graeme should already be well versed in how Michael operates given their family connection.