Hayden Hackney on Carrick’s Middlesbrough Influence

Everton midfielder Hayden Hackney has described Michael Carrick as a crucial influence on his development at Middlesbrough, saying the former Riverside boss gave midfielders detailed, hands-on coaching.

Carrick led Boro between 2022 and 2025 before taking charge of Manchester United. Hackney said the manager’s work on the training pitch suited a side that regularly controlled possession in the Championship.

Quick facts

Michael Carrick managed Middlesbrough from 2022 to 2025.
Hackney says Carrick worked closely with midfield, defensive and attacking groups.
Middlesbrough were restored to the 2025-26 Championship play-off final after Southampton were barred.
Southampton analyst William Salt was caught watching a Boro training session.
Hackney was injured when the incident emerged, and Middlesbrough later lost the final to Hull.

“He was ideal for me and the other midfield players,” Hackney said. “We would break into units and he spent plenty of time with us. You tried to take in everything he told you and bring it into your own game.”

Hackney’s Middlesbrough reached the Championship play-off final in 2025-26 through extraordinary circumstances. Southampton had beaten Boro in the semi-finals, but were subsequently removed from the Wembley showpiece following the spying controversy.

The midfielder was absent from training while recovering from injury when the incident involving Saints analyst William Salt unfolded. He said he was returning from a scan with a physio when news emerged that an unfamiliar man had been watching Middlesbrough’s session.

Boro initially had to process the semi-final defeat, with players emotionally drained after the result. Their return to training began with uncertainty over whether there would be any further role for them in the play-offs.

Hackney said the squad gradually had to refocus as the delay continued and the possibility of reinstatement became real. Middlesbrough were eventually put into the final, but their late route to Wembley ended in defeat against Hull.

“It was crazy,” Hackney said of the turnaround. “We had just lost the semi-final and then, suddenly, we were preparing for a final. Losing it was heartbreaking.”