Nicky Butt says Michael Carrick told him he would only return to coaching for a “big opportunity” such as Manchester United, rather than accept just any managerial role.
Carrick is under pressure after a run of nine matches without a victory, with his position at Old Trafford increasingly uncertain. Butt, 51, who played alongside Carrick at Manchester United, has explained comments suggesting his former team-mate was not keen on returning to coaching.
Speaking on The Good, the Bad & the Football podcast, Butt recalled Carrick saying: “No, it’s not for me. There’s too much going on, my head’s all over the place. I’d only do it for the big one, and the big one is Manchester United.”
The remarks attracted considerable attention at the time and Carrick later addressed them during a news conference.
Butt has now clarified that he was not claiming Carrick had ruled out a return to management altogether. Instead, he said Carrick would only consider a role that he viewed as sufficiently important.
Asked about the original comments on Piers Morgan’s Uncensored show, Butt said: “I think I did say that, but let me explain what I meant. I won’t back down, I really won’t, and I’ll make it clear.
“I was playing padel with Carrick, he was my doubles partner, and we were talking about football and Middlesbrough.
“After the match, we had a beer and I said, ‘Mate, what are you going to do next? What do you think you’ll do when you get back into coaching?’
“He said, ‘No, everything’s a mess, it’s too tiring, but if that big opportunity comes, I’ll obviously take it.’”
Butt added: “That big opportunity did come, and he took it. I wasn’t saying Carrick didn’t want the Manchester United job. I meant he didn’t want just any job.
“He didn’t want to drive up and down the M6 all day for nothing, with kids at home to look after.
“But if that big job came along, and I think he meant Manchester United, he would take it. That’s what I discussed with him.”
Butt also said he did not believe Carrick would voluntarily leave, regardless of how difficult the club’s circumstances became.
Carrick narrowly retained his position after a crisis meeting following last month’s 3-0 defeat by AFC Bournemouth. However, with Manchester United still unable to find a win in nine games, Butt suggested the manager may now have limited time to change the situation in the north-west of England.
