Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick is close to clinching the job on a permanent basis.
We have seen Michael Carrick seize his chance in the dugout at Manchester United, leading the team to third place and Champions League qualification.
Carrick’s United have registered wins over Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa to name a few, and now he appears close to landing the job full-time.
Formal discussions are set to take place between United and Carrick over the coming days.
Former United star Andy Cole has backed the expected decision to hand Carrick the job permanently.
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Andy Cole says no risk with Carrick
Andy Cole believes Michael Carrick is a good fit for the Manchester United job, partly because he knows how to handle the club.
Cole told the Could It Be Magic podcast: “I like Michael, get on well with him. Like his mannerisms, and he manages like the way he played.
“He is level-headed and does the job the best of his ability. Nothing shocking about his press conferences, Michael is Michael.
“People say will he get the job? I say why wouldn’t he?”
Cole also pointed to the disastrous fortunes of Liam Rosenior at Chelsea, who was appointed around the same time as Carrick back in January. He has already been fired.
He argues that if it does not go well with Carrick, then there is no drama and United simply move in another direction, having given a chance to a coach who has proven he deserved a shot.
“Look at the Liam Rosenior situation, he gets sacked after two months [at Chelsea], that’s what can happen, so if Manchester United appoint Michael Carrick as manager and it doesn’t work out, the way the game is, they move on, so why not give him a go.”
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Joe Cole says ‘insane’ not to give it to Carrick
Andy Cole’s namesake Joe Cole, formerly of West Ham and Chelsea, admits to not quite understanding the thought process to give Carrick the job initially.
But now after seeing Carrick prove his worth, he argues it would be ‘insane’ not to appoint him permanently.
“Hindsight, looking back, it looks a completely sensible decision (to give Carrick the job when they did). From the outside looking in, it still looks mayhem in terms of where the owners are, the recruitment, directors, everything is changing, it made sense.
“He’s someone who knows the club inside out, has experience of management, brought in people like Jonny Evans, who knows the characters closely, Jonathan Woodgate, who he knows from Middlesbrough, he is the perfect person for this period. I hope he gets the job … I think he will.
“To not give him the job would be insane, from where they were to where they are now.”
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