Michael Carrick named permanent Man United boss as Pep Guardiola announces Man City exit

May 22: Manchester United have appointed Michael Carrick as their permanent manager on a contract until 2028, the Premier League club said on Friday, rewarding the former midfielder for the club's turnaround in fortunes in less than half a season.

The 44-year-old Englishman has guided United to 11 victories in 16 matches, including wins over Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, to climb to third in the Premier League and seal a berth in next season's Champions League.

"From the moment that I arrived here 20 years ago, I felt the magic of Manchester United. Carrying the responsibility of leading our special football club fills me with immense pride," Carrick said in a statement.

"Throughout the past five months, this group of players have shown they can reach the standards of resilience, togetherness and determination that we demand here.

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"Now it's time to move forward together again, with ambition and a clear sense of purpose."

CARRICK EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

Initially appointed on an interim basis to replace Ruben Amorim, the former United midfielder has exceeded expectations and transformed the mood around Old Trafford, with the club's players backing him for the job.

Carrick, who served as caretaker manager in 2021 following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal, made 464 appearances for United across all competitions, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008.

His managerial experience includes a mixed stint at second-tier club Middlesbrough, where he initially did well after joining in October 2022 with the Championship side languishing in 21st place.

Carrick quickly turned things around, guiding them to a fourth-placed finish and the playoffs in his first season and they reached the League Cup semi-finals the following campaign.

However, Middlesbrough failed to earn promotion as they finished eighth and 10th in his last two seasons, leading to his dismissal in June last year.

UNITED GUARANTEED THIRD-PLACED FINISH

United, who have 68 points, are guaranteed to finish third with a game to spare, ending their campaign with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

"Michael has thoroughly earned the opportunity to continue leading our men's team," Jason Wilcox, the club's director of football, said.

"In the time he has been doing the role, we have seen positive results on the pitch, but more than that, an approach which aligns with the club's values, traditions and history.

"Michael's achievements in leading the club back to the Champions League should not be understated. He has forged a strong bond with the players and can be proud of the winning culture at Carrington and in the dressing room, which we are continuing to build."

GUARDIOLA TO END MAN CITY SPELL

Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City at the end of the season after a decade in charge, the club announced on Friday, bringing an end to one of the most successful eras in English soccer and one of the most influential managerial reigns of all time.

The departure of the 55-year-old Catalan coach will close the book on a remarkable chapter that has seen City transform into a footballing juggernaut.

Guardiola, who took charge of City in 2016, has won six Premier League titles -- including four in a row -- three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League, but his side have not won the league in two years.

"Don't ask me the reasons I'm leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it's my time," Guardiola said in a statement.

"Nothing is eternal, if it was, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City.

"We worked. We suffered. We fought. And we did things our own way. Our way."

Although City sealed the domestic cup double this season, Guardiola saw his dreams of a seventh Premier League crown dashed when they drew 1-1 at Bournemouth on Tuesday to hand Arsenal the title, with City set to finish second.

His final game in charge is Sunday's home fixture against Aston Villa before he takes on the role of Global Ambassador in the City Football Group, giving technical advice to clubs in the group.

City also announced the expanded North Stand at the Etihad Stadium will be named the Pep Guardiola Stand while a statue that will feature on the approach to the stand will be commissioned.

RECORD-BREAKING CAMPAIGNS

Guardiola had arrived in Manchester with a resume already stuffed with silverware from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, taking over from Manuel Pellegrini in July 2016.

After inheriting a successful club financed by the Abu Dhabi United Group, Guardiola will walk away having built a footballing empire after overseeing a paradigm shift in Premier League tactics.

As Guardiola faced the challenge of adapting to England's famously fast-paced and physical league, possession became an art form and a defensive tool at City as his teams craved complete control.

The result was not just utter dominance -- evidenced by record-breaking campaigns like the 100-point 2017-18 season with 106 goals scored -- but also relentless consistency year after year, including a record four league titles in a row.

Guardiola's squads set new standards, forcing other teams to evolve, while City's financial muscle combined with shrewd signings such as the much sought-after striker Erling Haaland helped deliver the treble in 2022-23.

However, the spectre of the 115 charges of alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules looms large over his tenure at the club.

GUARDIOLA RAISED THE BAR

His rivalry with former Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp raised the bar in the Premier League so high that even 97 points proved insufficient for the Anfield side to claim the title in 2018-19.

More recently, Guardiola has faced a challenge from his protege and former coaching assistant Mikel Arteta, who took charge at Arsenal and finished second behind City twice before ultimately winning the trophy this season.

But Guardiola looked back fondly at his time in Manchester, remembering how the city came together after the Manchester Arena attack while also describing how the club helped him through a tough period when he lost his mother to COVID.

"The fans, the staff, the people of Manchester, you gave me strength when I needed it most," he added.

"Players don't forget - every single instant, moment, me, my staff, this club, everything. What we have done, we have done it for all of you. And you have been just exceptional. You don't know it yet, but you are leaving a legacy.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for trusting me. Thank you for pushing me. Thank you for loving me... Tony Walsh said in his unforgettable poem, 'This is the place'. I'm sorry, Tony: this is my place."