Man Utd great ‘among favourites’ to replace Championship manager

Former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is among the favourites to take over from ex-Old Trafford star Steve Bruce as manager of West Brom.

The 61-year-old was sacked by the Baggies on Monday morning after a dire run of form in the Championship that has left the club languishing in the relegation zone after 13 matches. Albion have taken just eleven points from their opening run of fixtures, and have picked up one win since the start of the campaign.

Following Bruce’s departure, speculation has begun over who could be in line to replace him at The Hawthorns. According to the bookies, the early frontrunners are ex-Burnley manager Sean Dyche at 5/1, and Scott Parker, who recently left Premier League outfit Bournemouth, at 6/1.

Behind that duo is Carrick at 8/1. The 41-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful playing career at Old Trafford, winning five Premier League titles and a Champions League, among other honours. In 464 appearances for the Red Devils he scored 24 goals and registered 37 assists. Since hanging up his boots in 2018, Carrick has moved into coaching, and even spent a short time as caretaker manager of United in the aftermath of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure from the dugout late last year.

Now without a club, Carrick has also been touted as a leading contender for the permanent vacancy at Middlesbrough in recent days too. The Sun have even gone as far as to suggest that the former England international would like to take ex-United coaches Mike Phelan and Rene Meulensteen with him to the Riverside, should he land the role on Teesside.

The full list of favourites to take over as West Brom manager is as follows:

• Sean Dyche - 5/1
• Scott Parker - 6/1
• Michael Carrick - 8/1
• Rob Edwards - 9/1
• Carlos Corberan - 10/1
• Liam Rosenior - 14/1
• Mark Robins - 14/1