Because West Ham has “bigger targets,” Michael Carrick is not considered to succeed David Moyes as manager of the team, according to Graeme Bailey.

The former Irons midfielder is content at Middlesbrough and is expected to make new friends at the Riverside rather than leaving for the London Stadium in the summer, the HITC writer told Boro News on March 11.

Because Moyes’ contract is slated to expire at the end of the current campaign and an extension is now on hold, Bailey claims that regular connections to Carrick are unfounded and that bigger names are being considered in their place.

Bailey stated: “He’s content here at Middlesbrough.” Although he has always been connected to West Ham, I don’t think he’s specifically on anyone’s list right now. From what I gather, West Ham is now pursuing some bigger candidates to take Moyes’ place.

“I believe Carrick’s new Middlesbrough contract will be finalised before the start of the upcoming campaign.”

Former West Ham midfielder not in line to come in at London Stadium

Carrick has a history with the team and even played in the First Division before to his 2004 departure for Tottenham, but he is not likely to be a good fit as the next manager at this time.

Although he has led Middlesbrough to a semi-final in the Championship play-offs last season and a semifinal in the League Cup this one, Moyes has enjoyed a reasonably successful tenure there. However, should he leave this summer, the Irons will probably require a more seasoned coach than the forty-two-year-old, who is currently ranked eleventh in the second division and has only managed two seasons.

There’s still no certainty that a management change will occur at all because David Sullivan and the West Ham board haven’t seemed to be able to decide on a clear plan of action for more than a year.

The mood seems to shift after every few games, and although victories against Brentford and Everton had eased the 2024 slump, it was scarcely expected to be held to a draw at home by Burnley, the team in last place, this past weekend.

If Moyes stays, it seems like Tim Steidten might because the two haven’t seemed to get along since the German moved in, and the manager isn’t thrilled about working in this kind of environment.

In any case, if a new guy does take the helm, it doesn’t seem like Carrick will be heading back to the Premier League following a caretaker stint at Manchester United.