Tenth place not good enough and ended Carrick's reign on Teesside

MIDDLESBROUGH this week decided to end Michael Carrick’s two and a half years in charge at the club, as they now seek a new direction.

- CRAIG JOHNS

The decision to sack Carrick came after three seasons at the club which started with an excellent run to the play-offs before two seasons of missing out.

Last season's 10th-placed finish proved fatal though, with Boro’s points tally the second lowest Championship tally in the last decade.

With Middlesbrough's midweek decision disrupting previous plans for this week’s fan panel, Youtube analyst Phil Spencer and Twe12th Man member John Donovan were able to provide their thoughts on the dramatic new update, which, along with Gazette Boro writer Craig Johns form this week's one-off Boro panel in judging the decision to sack Michael Carrick.

JOHN DONOVAN

The departure of Michael Carrick was a bit of a shock but not totally unexpected after last season's performances. It appeared that the club were prepared to stick with him as the review dragged on, but that proved not to be the case.

With his backroom staff being shown the door also, it appears that the new man will be allowed to bring in his own staff, something that I think didn’t help Carrick when he was appointed.

The failure last season was not solely down to Carrick, in my opinion, and the next appointment is massive for the club to get a disillusioned fanbase back on side.

PHIL SPENCER