MICHAEL Carrick admits Jonathan Woodgate was probably a "bit surprised" when he got the call to ask whether he'd return to Middlesbrough to assist the new head coach.
But all that mattered to Carrick was that Woodgate said yes - and he's delighted he did.
It's rare for a former manager of a club to return as a first team coach but Woodgate's inside knowledge of the club, the area and many of the players has been an enormous aid to Carrick.
Carrick and Woodgate hadn't previously worked together but had obviously come across each other in the game and when they sat down to discuss the idea of teaming up at Boro they immediately clicked.
“He has been a massive influence and a great help to me since we first came together," said the head coach in praise of Woodgate.
"It was immediately apparent that we could work together and it was full-on. From the start, he has been absolutely huge for me.
"It is actually hard to describe but he knows the club, the players, the staff but more importantly, it is about who he is, how humble and hard working he is. There is no ego at all.
"He is extremely knowledgeable, great around the group, gives the boys loads of help. He is just a good well-rounded person."
Carrick and Woodgate don't necessarily agree on everything and don't see the game the same way - but that, says the head coach, is what he wants and needs in his support team.
"He sees the game a little bit differently from me because he works from the defensive side but at the same time, we have a lucky relationship because we just clicked straight away," said Carrick.
"We get on, see the game similarly but in different ways which is a tough balance to get but it works. He has been a huge part in what we have done."
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Often these days managers come to clubs armed with their own backroom team but Carrick arrived at Boro alone. The idea of reaching out to Woodgate to see if he was interested in a Boro return was floated during negotiations and all of those involved immediately agreed that it was a great shout.
Carrick said: “It was a joint decision to bring him in. Knowing Woody and the fact he was willing to come back after what had happened shows the kind of person he is.
"We all felt it was a good move because he cares about the club and is desperate for it to do well. He cares about the players and the young ones, wants to give them the chance. He wants to pass on his experience. He is not someone who is in it for himself. He is in it for others. It is a great skill to have
“He was probably a bit surprised when we got in touch with him but I am just so glad that I did."
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