Meet the opposition | Middlesbrough
As Swansea City prepare to take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, we take a closer look at the Teessiders.
WHAT'S THEIR STORY?
Having spent all bar one season between 1995 and 2009 in the Premier League - with a best finish of seventh in 2005 - Middlesbrough have been in the Championship for 14 of the 15 campaigns since.
A brief return to the top-flight in 2016 saw them struggle in front of goal, coming straight back down with only five wins and 27 goals, the lowest tally recorded during that season.
They reached the play-offs in 2018 and 2023, and will hoping to return this season after missing out last term.
Boro famously reached the UEFA Cup final in 2006 while, in a successful 2004-05 season, they secured League Cup glory by beating Bolton in Cardiff.
WHO'S THE GAFFER?
Michael Carrick. The former West Ham, Tottenham and Manchester United midfielder is enjoying his second senior managerial position having previously been caretaker boss at Old Trafford, and led Boro to the play-offs after taking over from Chris Wilder during the 2022-23 campaign.
Born in Wallsend, Carrick joined West Ham’s academy and came through the ranks to make over 150 appearances for the Irons before joining Tottenham in 2004.
Two years later he went to United, and enjoyed a trophy-laden 12 years that saw him win five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, one Champions League, one Europa League and a Club World Cup before hanging up his boots in 2018.
He remained with the Red Devils to join Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff, and stayed on when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced the Portuguese.
After a spell as caretaker manager, Carrick left the club in December 2021, joining Boro in October 2022 and making an immediate impact.
WHO'S THE CAPTAIN?
Jonny Howson. The experienced midfielder took over the armband from striker Britt Assombalonga in the early stages of the 2021-22 campaign and has been club captain ever since.
The 35-year-old has made more than 500 league appearances across a career taking in lengthy spells with Leeds United, Norwich City and now Boro.
Howson made the move to Teesside in 2017, and has played in a number of positions – including centre-back – during his stint at the Riverside, underlining his versatility and nous.
WHO ARE THE KEY MEN?
Emmanuel Latte Lath
Latte Lath was Middlesbrough's top scorer with 18 goals in all competitions last term, and a strong end to the season - including a run of seven goals in six matches - saw him named EFL Championship Player of the Month for April 2024
The Ivorian joined the Teessiders from Italian club Atalanta in the summer of 2023, ending a seven-year stint on the books of the Serie A outfit.
During his time at Atalanta, he had loan spells with Pescara, Pistoiese, Imolese, Carrarese, Pro Patria, SPAL and St Gallen.
He scored 14 goals in 31 league appearances for the latter, attracting the attention of the Riverside club.
Rav van den Berg
In his first season at the club van den Berg became a mainstay in Michael Carrick’s side and a fan favourite. His impressive first campaign saw him make 34 Championship appearances,
Van den Berg got his first goal for Middlesbrough in their 4-0 victory against Preston North End in November 2023.
At the end of last term he was a double award winner as he picked up the Young Player and Player of the Season awards at Boro's annual awards night.
Hayden Hackney
Boro academy product Hayden Hackney joined the club at under-10 level. After becoming a mainstay during the 2022-23 season, Hayden carried on his form into the 2023/24 campaign, featuring in 21 games for Michael Carrick.
Hackney managed to get the only goal of the game in front of a sold-out Riverside in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea last season and his impressively consistent levels of performance have seen him tipped for a very bright future.
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