Paul Simpson: Carlisle United reappoint former boss after Keith Millen exit
- Published
Paul Simpson was player-manager at Carlisle and guided them from non-league to League One
Carlisle United have named Paul Simpson as manager for the remainder of the season to replace the departed Keith Millen, who left after 22 games.
Simpson returns to the Cumbrians for a second stint, having guided the club to back-to-back promotions in his first spell in charge at Brunton Park.
He inherits a side second from bottom in League Two, having taken just three points from the past eight matches.
"Paul is hugely respected," chairman Andrew Jenkins said of the appointment., external
"The decision to change direction was taken on Wednesday 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."
Simpson led England to the Under-20 World Cup title in 2017, and previously took Carlisle from the fifth tier to League One, with promotions in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 campaigns.
The former Manchester City, Derby and Oxford winger was recently on the staff at Bristol City, where he ended up as caretaker boss for a spell in the spring of 2021.
He has also managed Rochdale, Preston North End, Shrewsbury and Stockport, as well as time on the staff at Newcastle and former club Derby.
Millen, 55, only replaced previous manager Chris Beech in October 2021, but won only six games in charge in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Carlisle director of football David Holdsworth has also stepped down from the club.
The 53-year-old was brought in by the Cumbrians in the summer of 2018 to oversee transfers and strategy, but will not be replaced.
Leyton Orient, who sacked their manager Kenny Jackett on Tuesday, are the opposition on Saturday.
Analysis - Carlisle need an emotional attachment
James Phillips, BBC Radio Cumbria's Carlisle United commentator
It had to happen in the end - you look at Oldham getting 18 points in their past eight games, while Carlisle only picked up three.
There was a little spike when Keith Millen came in, and he is a likeable guy, but if you're doubting whether you've got the right person, you need to make the decision as early as possible.
Paul is exactly the right appointment at the right time. At this moment in Carlisle's history they need an emotional attachment to somebody who also has a track record of doing the job.
That's what Simpson does. He will be someone who will be desperate to make sure Carlisle don't go out of the EFL and don't go out of existence.