- Manchester United look to attain the services of an elite assistant manager
- How would he help Michael Carrick
- What teams has the manager been with before
As Michael Carrick edges closer to attaining the full-time head coach position at Manchester United, the Englishman has been assessing additional coaches to bring into his backroom staff, with Aaron Danks at the top of his list.
Since arriving at United, Carrick has worked alongside a myriad of backroom staff, as the whole operation shifted following Ruben Amorim’s departure.
Steve Holland, the Red Devils’ assistant manager, joined Carrick after an eight-month hiatus from football, whilst Jonathan Woodgate, Steve Binnion, and former player Jonny Evans also linked up with Carrick.
Now, however, he is looking to improve on this by hopefully bringing Danks on board.
Read: Latest Manchester United news and updates
Michael Carrick Wants Aaron Danks Reunion
For all you eagle-eyed viewers out there, you will have seen Danks quite recently, as he took to the touchline in the mesmerising Champions League semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
With Vincent Kompany banned due to receiving three yellow cards across 12 Champions League matches, the Belgian had to sit this one in the stands while Danks took control—under the orders of Kompany, of course.
And whilst his side may have lost the first leg, there is no doubt that the performance on show ranks among the most exhilarating we have seen in a European tie.
In a match that finished 5-4 to the French side, Bayern’s chief executive officer, Jan-Christian Dreesen, credited Kompany, but also offered praise to Danks.
Now, according to TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey, United are looking to bolster their backroom staff by adding Danks. Carrick is already planning ahead for a possible permanent position, and Danks sits high on his wishlist for a permanent backroom team.
This would not be the first time the two have linked up together. Starting his senior coaching career at Anderlecht under Vincent Kompany, the Englishman spent a year in Belgium before moving to the Premier League to work with Dean Smith as the assistant manager of Aston Villa.
Following a little over a year at the club, Danks left to join Middlesbrough as a first-team coach for Carrick, where he remained until 21 June.
Prior to his senior coaching roles, he was part of England Under-20’s staff when they won the 2017 World Cup, and later served as assistant manager of England Under-21s, before moving into senior coaching in 2021.
Why Carrick Wants Danks
Serving under Kompany for the past two seasons, there is no doubt that the English coach has what it takes to cut it in the Premier League.
Whilst at Middlesbrough, Danks was interviewed by journalist Adrian Clarke, where he spoke about togetherness and trust.
“People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care,” the coach explained.
“In club football your workday can get so busy that sometimes you step back and think, ‘I only interacted with the players on the training pitch today’ and that’s an absolute travesty for the environment we all want to create, and for what I believe coaching to be.
“Players will feel they can speak more freely. So, when you go into a meeting or discuss a game plan, they are more comfortable sharing their own observations.
“Taking the time to get to know and understand your players is invaluable.”
Danks values face-to-face interaction, as shown during his time at St George’s Park, where he aimed to meet in person at least three times a week with his fellow coaches in a bid to create a ‘club feel’.
United sealed a return to the Champions League next season with a 3-2 win against Liverpool on Sunday. There’s now even more of a chance that Danks will be back in the Premier League next season, once again assisting Carrick.
To secure him, however, the club may have to prise him away from one of Europe’s elite footballing institutions.
Read: Manchester United Stars Doubt Michael Carrick Can be Club’s ‘Next Great Manager’
