Golden Generation haven’t won a single English trophy in management… but a Man Utd icon can change that this season
A HOST of England’s star-studded Golden Generation have stepped into the dug-out as managers – but none of them are yet to win a domestic trophy in this country.
However, that could all change this season if Michael Carrick leads Middlesbrough to Wembley glory.
GettyMichael Carrick is hoping to lead Middlesbrough to Carabao Cup success[/caption]
The 42-year-old Manchester United legend, who won 34 caps for the Three Lions, and his Boro team face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tonight at the Riverside.
Guiding the Championship side to the final would be another impressive accolade on the relatively still new to management Carrick.
He took over Boro just over a year ago with the club sitting 21st in the second tier and looking at relegation.
His only previous experience in the dug-out was a three-match caretaker spell in 2021 at Manchester United, leading them to two wins over Villarreal and Arsenal and a draw with Chelsea.
But Carrick showed his credentials by transforming Boro’s season and leading them to the play-offs, where they were beaten in the semis by Coventry.
And despite a winless seven-game start to this term, his side are firmly in the running for a top six finish again as well as enjoying their cup run.
He has been at the helm of 65 games so far for the North East team in all competitions, winning 34, giving him a win percentage of 52.9 per cent including his three matches at United.
Meanwhile, as his reputation continues to rocket and leads to links with a return to first club West Ham, some of his former England team-mates are suffering a tough time of it.
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The likes of Gary Neville and Paul Scholes suffered nightmare brief spells in charge of Valencia and Oldham respectively, while fellow ex-United icon Wayne Rooney was sacked last week by Birmingham after just two wins from 15 games.
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard won the Scottish Premiership with Rangers but endured a miserable time of it before he was axed by Aston Villa and is now under-pressure at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.
And Frank Lampard is still looking for another new job after his sacking from Everton last season was followed by a dire stint as interim boss at Chelsea.
But when quizzed about his own managerial record compared to the other of England’s Golden Generation, Carrick said with a wry smile: “You put me in that bracket now, do you? I never used to be as a player!”
He continued: “It doesn’t bother me one bit, to be honest.
“It’s a phrase that gets thrown around and it doesn’t mean anything at all.
“The boys we’re talking about have had incredible football careers, as good as this country has ever produced.
“I’m sure they’ll go on to have very good managerial careers, if they choose to.
“You judge people over a period of time. And just because you played at a certain level, or played together, to put everyone under the same umbrella doesn’t make sense.
“Everyone will have their own pathway and journey. At the moment, this is where I am, and I’m really enjoying it.”
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