Ex-Premier League boss a potential Michael Carrick replacement at Middlesbrough

Steve Cooper would be a contender to replace Carrick if Boro owner Steve Gibson decides to make a change.

However, talkSPORT understands that Cooper is not expected to return to the dugout having only been out of the game for three months.

Manchester United legend Carrick was booed by Boro fans during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Watford, their fifth defeat in six games.

The result leaves his side 11th in the Championship, four points adrift of the top six.

However, Boro do have a game in hand on the rest of the club's above them in the play-off hunt.

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Carrick has been in charge at the Riverside Stadium since October 2022 following three matches as United's caretaker boss.

After reaching the play-offs that season, he guided Boro to an eighth-place finish in his first full campaign at the helm last term.

Speaking after Saturday's defeat, Carrick told the BBC: "There's no sugar-coating it, we're in a tough spot at the moment.

"You could smell it and feel it around today, and (we need to) face up to the reality that results haven't gone as we would like of late.

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"I felt a lot for them because their attitude is top-class, honestly, they're desperate to do the right things and in sport when things aren't going for you and you're not in your peak mentality, the confidence dips a little bit and it becomes more difficult to play.

"In the second half, how we reacted and tried to create pressure and opportunities, I'm proud of them for because it's not a nice situation to deal with. It's totally my responsibility to deal with."

Boro are next in action on Friday night away to Bristol City, who they will leapfrog in the table with a win.

Meanwhile, Cooper has been away from the dugout since leaving Leicester in November having only been appointed in the summer.

The Welshman's last spell in the Championship saw the Welshman guide Nottingham Forest to Premier League promotion three years ago.

Forest followed up their top flight return by finishing 16th under Cooper before he left the club in December 2023.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Blackburn are already without a manager after John Eustace left the club for Derby last week.

Rovers have yet to hire a permanent replacement, with David Lowe currently in caretaker charge.

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