Michael Carrick has been described as an ‘obvious candidate’ for the manager role at one of the Premier League’s struggling sides.
The former Manchester United midfielder is currently the head coach at Championship promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough.
Carrick took charge in October 2022 after a short stint as caretaker manager at United following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure.
He guided them to the Championship play-off semi-finals in his first season before reaching the Carabao Cup last four in his second.
Middlesbrough are currently fifth in the table and five points off the automatic promotion spots after thumping Oxford United 6-2.
However, talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino revealed on Weekend Sports Breakfast that he believes Carrick can take the next step up.
He has tipped him for the role at West Ham, who have struggled this season since hiring Julen Lopetegui in the summer.
However it is at Leicester where there is an opening following Steve Cooper’s sacking.
Speaking prior to Cooper’s axing at the King Power Stadium, Cascarino said: “You know West Ham fans, I think the owner is always trying to appease them with the sort of manager that would fit the bill.
“Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough were a bit flying. A big old win yesterday, 6-2, top goalscorers in the Championship at the moment [on 29 goals].
“And they’re what, lying fifth? I think they’re fifth, yeah, fifth in the Championship and there’s been a bit of a turnaround there. So he’ll be an obvious candidate for someone like West Ham.
“Because the fans would certainly embrace one of their players that they had many moons ago and bring a style of football that West Ham fans so dearly want.”
West Ham, for whom Carrick made 154 appearances as a player after coming through their academy, sit 14th in the Premier League.
The Hammers have only won three of their 11 matches this season and are only four points above the relegation zone.
talkSPORT reported earlier in the month that several of their senior stars are not fully on board with former Wolves boss Lopetegui.
He is a former Europa League winner with Spanish giants Sevilla, but has been unable to make a positive impact in east London so far.
West Ham were defeated in all of their opening three league games at home and have seen two red cards in their last four fixtures.
Lopetegui’s predecessor David Moyes ensured they finished ninth in his final season at the club a year after winning the UEFA Conference League.
However, such a standing could already be out of reach for the Hammers as they are six points behind current occupiers Newcastle.
The two sides meet at St James’ Park on Monday night, live on talkSPORT, with both desperate for all three points.
A defeat for West Ham would only increase the pressure on Lopetegui and cast doubts over his long-term future at the club.
talkSPORT understands that the club have sounded out former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic as a potential replacement.
