One manager in, one manager out at Carlisle

One manager in, one manager out at Carlisle with Keith Millen leaving and Paul Simpson returning to the club, who are in the relegation zone.

It ends Millen’s tenure after less than four months in charge however it would seem the problems lie much further that just who is in charge.

Some of the fanbase have protested against the ownership and handling of the club, with concerns from the supporters that the club will find themselves back in non league football for the first time since 2004/05.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Carlisle United Football Club can confirm that manager Keith Millen has left the club by mutual consent.

Everyone would like to go on record with their thanks to Keith for his work and efforts since he joined us at the end of October 2021, and we wish him the very best as he moves on from the club.

Assistant manager Gav Skelton will take today’s training session.

Millen’s departure comes at a time the Cumbirna outfit sit second bottom of League Two and facing 15 games to save their EFL status.

It leaves the club with a managerial vacancy for the second time this season after October’s sacking of Chris Beech.

Millen was appointed on the 26th of October and has overseen 17 league games and five cup games in charge.

He achieved four wins and four draws from those league matches, picking up nine defeats.

Carlisle United have also confirmed the the director of football has left the club, much to the delight of fans.

They said: As part of a restructure of the football department David Holdsworth has today stepped down from his position as the club’s director of football.

David joined the club in the summer of 2018 and worked closely with the football department, providing a direct link to the boardroom on all on-field matters.

Chairman Andrew Jenkins said: “David has been very loyal to the club and we would like to thank him for the work he has done.

“He leaves with our best wishes as he moves on from the club.”

The role of director or football will not be replaced going forward.

There is also a new manager, quickly coming to replace Millen, the club saying: Carlisle United Football Club are delighted to announce that Cumbrian lad Paul Simpson has come home to take charge of first-team affairs until the end of the current campaign.

Simpson, 55, became a local hero when he took over a struggling club during the 2003/04 season.

He galvanised the Blues, almost saving it from an impossible situation, but led the charge with back-to-back promotions from the Conference into League One through 2004/05 and 2005/06.

A man with a wealth of football and management experience – he won the World Cup at the helm of the England U20 squad in 2017 – he takes over with 15 games left to play of the current campaign.

Chairman Andrew Jenkins said: “It doesn’t need me to say that Paul is a hugely respected both in Carlisle and across the football world.

“He’s a Carlisle fan, he knows the club, and he knows what it means to the fans.

“He also knows this is a difficult task, but his knowledge, experience and passion will be a huge asset to the dressing room and the club.

“We hope everyone will get behind him and the players through what is a hugely important period.”

On the appointment process, he added: “The decision to change direction was taken on Tuesday night, and we then contacted Paul.

“He agreed that he would come to help his hometown club, and he was insistent that things were done properly in terms of the changeover, and that his appointment would be on a short-term basis at this stage.

“He now has the support of everyone at the club as we move forward from here.”

Twitter users reacted with one manager in, one manager out at Carlisle…

@parkinsonross: Correct decision. Nice bloke but hasn’t worked. Now for Holdsworth to follow. Has to be accountable for his own performance. #cufc

@angloscot188: We need experience now to get us out of this dire situation. Derek Adams has the best recent track record so surely should be considered. He not only saved Morecambe, he remarkably got them promoted in first full season.

@varty151: Correct decision but surprised it took so long. Biggest decision this board will ever make at this club and it has to be a good one if we have any chance of staying up.

@berni63berni: What a birthday present that is I can go to work this afternoon now happy 😃 #cufc #aglimmerofhope

@spiderwebb2019: I can’t take all this in, in one day I can’t cope 🎉🎉

@keeperstuart: Fuck sake only just got rid of the stiffy from earlier

@NottsNomad:
Can we have a phone front camera recording of him saying:
‘Hi Carlisle fans. It’s Paul. I’m home’
End message.
#cufc

@Stevot1979: Good luck simmo, legend of a player at dcfc, hope you survive

@mattm_57: Oh my fucking God 💙

@RannonWalker: Finally a proper football man in charge.. that loves the club as much as the fans.

@krisfoster: What a day. Just off for the world’s quickest wank.

@GPickthall26: Blues are staying up

@hankthetank03: And now I’ve jizzed, cheers. What a mess at work

@arsenaljordon: This is better than any sex..

@Mullen103: Probably the only manager that can unite the supporters towards the team at the moment