Former Leicester City manager in contention to replace Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough

A former Leicester City manager has emerged as a surprise contender to replace the under-pressure Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough.

Carrick has won just three of his last 15 games in charge of the Teessiders which has seen them slip from play-off contenders down to 11th – four points off sixth.

The former Manchester United and England star has even been criticised for signing former Foxes striker Kelechi Iheanacho.

Middlesbrough fans slammed Iheanacho for his home debut performance in their 1-0 defeat against Watford and it now appears that one former Leicester boss could be in the frame to take over at the Riverside Stadium.

Steve Cooper in the frame to become new Middlesbrough manager

According to TalkSPORT, the former Foxes boss being touted as a possible replacement for Carrick is Steve Cooper.

The Welshman has been out of work since November when he was sacked by Leicester and Cooper has been waiting for the right club before returning to management.

Blackburn Rovers fans want Cooper to replace John Eustace after he left for Derby County but the 48-year-old doesn’t appear to be the overwhelming favourite.

Cooper’s last spell as a Championship manager was far more successful than his brief tenure at the King Power Stadium as he won promotion with Nottingham Forest to take them back to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.

How does Steve Cooper compare to Michael Carrick?

Whilst some journalists think Leicester were wrong to sack Cooper, his record at the Foxes was hardly inspiring.

The 48-year-old has a lot more experience in the dugout than Carrick having managed England at youth level, as well as spells at three different clubs.

Carrick, on the other hand, has only ever been in charge of Boro alongside three games in charge of Man United as a caretaker boss.