Middlesbrough appoint Graeme Carrick to brother Michael's coaching team after Aaron Danks' exit

Graeme Carrick has joined Middlesbrough as a first-team coach as the club moved quickly to replace Aaron Danks on head coach Michael Carrick's coaching team.

Danks was a shock departure at Middlesbrough this summer after Vincent Kompany moved to Bayern Munich and sought to reunite with Carrick's assistant coach after their brief time together at Anderlecht. Danks' move to the German giants was confirmed last week as a compensation package was agreed.

But Boro had already began work on replacing Danks, with permission granted by Newcastle United to speak to Graeme, who has been working as the Magpies' Lead Under-18 coach since 2022. With Jonathan Woodgate staying as assistant coach, Graeme becomes a first-team coach to complete Boro's coaching unit, with Grant Leadbitter also a first-team coach and Alan Fettis serving as goalkeeper coach.

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Steve Harper, Newcastle United's academy director, said: "I would like to thank Graeme for his excellent work in developing our young players both on and off the pitch. Whenever a player of staff member moves on to first-team opportunities, whether it's here or elsewhere, we can all be very proud of them.

"Middlesbrough are getting a great guy, a very good coach and we all wish him every success with his new role. The search for a new Under-18s lead coach has already begun."

Boro were always understood to be looking for someone different in profile to Danks, with Michael keen to be as hands-on as possible with coaching, having got a feel for exactly how his role works in his time at Boro so far - his first management role in football.

Having worked for 15 years in the FA in various youth development roles, Graeme has specific expertise in individual player coaching and development. The fact he is Carrick's brother means that there is an instant connection and understanding there which should ease his transition at his new club.

Graeme's last game in charge of the Newcastle youth side actually came against Boro, with the Magpies winning a thrilling encounter 4-3 to finish their U18's Premier League campaign in eighth spot - one place and five points better off than Boro.