Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is wasting no time at all in the transition to his next career. Carrick had been expected to join manager Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff next season, but he decided not to procrastinate, as he’ll be a part of the back room staff for the FA Cup Final clash against Chelsea this Saturday at Wembley Stadium.
“I am not training this week. I am going to jump on the staff. I will be on the coaching staff on Saturday. It [the role] changes overnight,” Carrick is quoted in the Telegraph.
“Jose is one of the best. He’s been around for many years. It all fits in. I obviously know the club and manager and will be learning off him, the backroom staff, trying to bring the kids through and have an influence on that. It just fits. Hopefully it still fits in a couple of years’ time.”
Carrick just played his final, and 464th in total, game at Old Trafford this past Sunday. He leaves behind a playing career that included five Premier League titles and one Champions League title. The team captain this season, Carrick will not be playing the backdrop either, as he intends to hit the ground running on his overnight transition.
“I’m there to give my opinion. That’s part of being on the staff – to work with the manager in trying to get what’s best for the club.”
Thus, Jose Mourinho should be on notice, and you know he will be as Mourinho has already intimated the idea that Carrick could be his top lieutenant in the future.
Mourinho’s current top assistant, Rui Faria, will be leaving the club in the summer to pursue the next level of furthering his career. Michael Carrick reflected on his final game, a 1-0 win over Watford on Championship Sunday.
“It was an unbelievable reception when I came off,” Carrick said of Sunday’s match. “Special memories, things you cherish.
“The final chance to cut the cloth clean. Because I’ve got things, I’m kind of more excited about the future than looking back and being sad that it’s over.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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