Michael Carrick responds to West Ham manager job links
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick insists he is 'delighted' to be with the club amid links to his former club West Ham United.
Carrick succeeded Chris Wilder as Boro boss in October and has gone on to enjoy the best start of any manager in the club's history - they now sit third in the table and are pushing for automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Carrick's performance has not gone unnoticed and sources have confirmed to 90min that West Ham are one of a number of clubs who have been impressed with his work so far.
Current West Ham boss David Moyes remains under pressure as the club bid to stave off relegation from the top flight, and the uncertainty around his future has seen Carrick linked to the London Stadium job.
But Carrick insists that he's happy where he is, saying when asked about possible interest from West Ham: “I’m delighted to be here, why wouldn’t I be?
"We’ve got a terrific club and a terrific group of players, and I’m loving working with them. I’m looking forward to a big end to the season.
“In some ways it’s pleasing (to be linked with Premier League clubs), but to be honest, I don’t really listen to it or watch it. It’s not something that really bothers me.
manual
“We judge what we do here ourselves, and we’re our harshest critics in some ways, within the group. We judge myself, the players and the staff by the criteria that we just want to get better.
“What goes on, on the outside, goes on, on the outside. Over the years, I’ve kind of hardened myself to that. I don’t tend to pay too much attention to it. I obviously know what’s going on, but I’m just loving being here at the moment, with the players and staff, and the club in a really good place.”
Carrick did admits that he considers West Ham to be 'a fantastic club', but insists that Moyes should be given time to turn things around.
“I started at West Ham as a young boy and it’s a fantastic football club, but I know David well, played under him and have huge respect for him,” Carrick added.
“I think for me to comment on anything would be hugely unfair, and I wouldn’t do that.
“What I will say is that I hope they have a fantastic end to the season with David and the club because it’s a fantastic place and David is a good man. I really wish them all the success.”
On this edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey & Toby Cudworth discuss Man Utd's transfer needs & strategy for this summer, Tottenham's interest in Emi Martinez, Liverpool scouting two rising Benfica stars & more.
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!