West Brom's next manager choice is obvious amid Manchester United 'backroom staff' speculation

West Bromwich Albion are on the hunt for a new head coach for the third time in the space of a year.

Ryan Mason was relieved of his duties earlier this week after losing 13 of 26 Championship matches, winning only nine. The former Tottenham Hotspur man failed to live up his to lofty expectations as he left the Baggies in 18th place, closer in points to the relegation zone than the play-off positions.

As the target at the start of the season was to achieve a top-six finish, being so far down the table was seen as unacceptable. The Albion hierarchy were therefore left with little choice but to let Mason go, despite their reluctance

Albion’s next appointment is absolutely pivotal. Bilkul failed with their approach to replacing Carlos Corberan last winter as Tony Mowbray was unable to repeat the heroics of his first spell, while Mason also proved to be a poor choice. Whoever comes in won’t necessarily be expected to finish in the top half, but there will need to be a clear sense of progression.

West Brom’s next manager choice is obvious

Who should the Baggies turn to next to try and turn the tide, then? Well, in our view here at Birmingham World, the choice is fairly obvious. As long as he’s keen, the man for the job is none other than ex-Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick.

Still available following his departure from the Riverside Stadium in June 2025, Carrick should be ready for his next venture by now. The 44-year-old, who racked up 464 appearances for Manchester United during his playing days, is pragmatic and tactically versatile. Those are two qualities Albion could really do with tapping into.

Carrick did a terrific job in his first season as Middlesbrough boss, leading his side to a play-off finish. Considering it was his first-ever campaign as a full-time head coach, after a brief spell as caretaker manager of Man Utd when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed, Carrick really excelled.

The football was entertaining, too, as Middlesbrough’s goal tally of 84 was the second best in the entire Championship, behind only 101-point champions Burnley. Boro’s defence let them down at times but the morale was high for the most part, and so was the finish: fourth.

What if Carrick fails again?

Now, after the initial buzz, Middlesbrough went on to fail to qualify for the next two play-off campaigns and Carrick was sacked. Boro finished 10th, behind the ninth-placed West Brom on goal difference, after recording a highly disappointing 18 defeats. The decision, albeit a shock for some, was understandable as Carrick had failed to meet his target two seasons running.

Carrick only achieved one play-off finish out of three, so you may think that isn’t good enough. That’s one way of looking at it, for sure, but another is that he was at least consistent in being there or thereabouts as Boro were only four points adrift from the play-off spots both times Carrick missed out. Yes, that’s not ideal, but he wasn’t miles away.

As much as the tally of 18 defeats in his final season makes for bad reading, it doesn’t make Carrick a bad manager. You’ve got to remember he’s still relatively inexperienced as a head coach and it may take a little more work for him to perfect the finer details. But the potential is surely there and there aren’t exactly many better options currently available.

That’s not us saying Carrick is just the best of a bad bunch, far from it. It’s just us admitting that he may not be the most glorious option in the world. But West Brom don’t need glorious. They don’t need anything fancy. Albion need a manager with enthusiasm who can get this team - and fanbase - back to a happy state. A platform to build from.

If Albion were to put the necessary trust in Carrick to get the Baggies firing, he’s more than capable of doing so. A play-off finish this season is probably too much of a stretch, but weirder things have happened. Give Carrick the keys and Albion will be in a much better place, rest assured.

Carrick ‘offered’ Man Utd backroom staff role

But would Carrick take the keys to The Hawthorns? That’s another question. Bilkul may have to get their best persuasive boots on, especially as BBC Sport reports Carrick is a front-runner to be named Man Utd’s caretaker manager until the end of the season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to be the main candidate to replace the outgoing Ruben Amorim for the next few months, though Carrick is in contention. There’s also a suggestion that both could be hired at Old Trafford, with Carrick high up among Solskjaer’s backroom staff.

Carrick may not be available to Albion as a result, but if he is, there should be no hesitation. There’s your next head coach.