Michael Carrick has accepted his first permanent managerial role at Middlesbrough, who are struggling after a poor start to the season.
The Championship club were expected to challenge for promotion under Chris Wilder, but he was sacked three weeks ago, after just two wins from their opening 11 games.
Boro’s form improved under interim manager Leo Percovich but Carrick continued to be heavily linked with the job.
Initially reluctant to return to football after leaving Manchester United last season, he has decided to take the plunge and head back to his native North East.
The former England international retired from playing in 2018 and joined Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff at Old Trafford.
Carrick took caretaker charge of the club for three games after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked, leading them to two wins and a draw.
Jonathan Woodgate, who has experience as both a player and a manager at Boro, will serve as his assistant.
"Middlesbrough was the first professional club I played for as a nine-year old boy, so it’s a very special feeling to be back here as a head coach,” Carrick told the club website.
"Growing up in the north-east myself I’m fully aware of what football means to people. It’s a real privilege for me to be in this position and to feel all the passion and enthusiasm you’ve got for the game and for Boro.
"I’ll give everything to help develop the team and keep moving the club forward and make you the supporters proud. I can’t wait to get started.”
Carrick inherits a team that finished seventh, just outside the play-offs last season, and was targeting a return to the Premier League this season.
His initial task will be to move clear of trouble at the bottom of the table, starting at Preston North End on Saturday.
Boro are just a point above the relegation zone having played three games more than Coventry City immediately below them.
“We’re delighted to welcome Michael to the club,” said Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson.
“We had identified a number of potentials for the vacancy who we spoke with, and were impressed by all, but Michael was the outstanding candidate.
“Michael has the same values as the club, and we are very much aligned in our ambitions. We see Michael as the perfect fit for us and he believes this is the right club at the right time.”
