13 February 2024 , 22:03
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Former Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen has revealed how the blunt advice of former Manchester United and England star Michael Carrick inspired him to "get a hold" of his career.
The United States men's national team star was a marquee loan addition for the Teesiders from Manchester City back in 2022, moving to the Riverside Stadium in the hope of inspiring their promotion push. After serving as back-up to Ederson and as Pep Guardiola's pick in the club's EFL Cup final success in 2021, he arrived with significant pedigree but the feeling that his career could come to a screeching halt if he didn't make changes.
The American and his teammates struggled during the early months in the North East, as the club quickly found themselves languishing down the bottom of the EFL Championship table. Fast forward to the end of the campaign, though, and Steffen would leave Middlesbrough having gained some invaluable experience.
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The major inspiration behind this stark reversal in fortunes was former Old Trafford star Carrick, who took over the reins as head coach from Chris Wilder in October of that year. In the end, Steffen, the 29-time international with the United States, played 42 league games as Boro made the playoffs before bowing out versus Coventry City.
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Carrick assumed the hotseat in October 2022, with Middlesbrough languishing in 21st place in the second tier standings, having picked up just 17 points from their opening 16 games. Situated a single point above the drop zone, he masterminded a major turnaround in the remaining months of the campaign.
Now, Steffen has reflected on the impact Carrick was able to have on his career during their short association with each other in the Championship. Describing how the ex-England star galvanised the dressing room, he told The Mirror on a conference call: "He was amazing, we were struggling when he came in as manager. We were struggling with self-confidence and the team’s confidence and he just came in and said ‘Guys, let’s just have fun. We play this sport to have fun.'"
Zack Steffen reflects on his time at the Riverside Stadium with fondness after departing (Getty Images)"So he just wanted us to go out there and to enjoy it and the time that we have because it goes by quick."
Steffen added of the frank assessment he received from Carrick: "I remember him saying so many times that ‘careers just go like that [clicking his fingers]," before going on to reveal the key message his mentor tried to impart upon him, adding: "'Mine just went like that so you just really have to get a hold of it and be as present as possible and work hard every day.'"
"He is such a good guy off the field and his love and motivation to build his players and get Middlesbrough up to the Premier League is there and it was just a privilege to work under a class player and such an amazing guy as well," Steffen continued. "He brought so much fun and joy to Middlesbrough.
The 29-year-old eventually returned to his native USA as he officially brought his time at parent club Manchester City to a close in January of this year. He is now preparing for the new MLS season with the Colorado Rapids as he also looks to regain his No. 1 jersey from Matt Turner for the national team.