Carlisle bring in boss Williamson from MK Dons

Mike Williamson was appointed MK Dons head coach in October 2023 with the club 16th in League Two

Carlisle United have appointed Mike Williamson as their permanent head coach after sacking Paul Simpson last month.

Williamson arrives from MK Dons after Carlisle met a release clause in his contract with the Buckinghamshire club.

Carlisle owner Tom Piatak will now aim to recruit the club's first sporting director to work alongside Williamson.

The 40-year-old returns to the north of England having spent six years as a player at Newcastle United and a further five as player and manager of National League side Gateshead.

The Cumbrians sit 22nd in League Two, having lost five of their opening six league games, and visit Swindon Town on Saturday.

Williamson moved to Stadium MK in October 2023 after Graham Alexander was sacked following a run of eight league games without a win.

The club picked up 10 wins from his first 15 matches, and Williamson took the League Two manager of the month award for December 2023.

MK Dons finished last season in fourth, but an 8-1 aggregate defeat to Crawley Town in the play-off semi-finals was the heaviest ever since the play-offs were introduced in 1987.

Veteran defender Dean Lewington has been put in temporary charge at MK Dons, who sit 20th in League Two, having picked up six points from their first six league games.

They next take on Doncaster Rovers at home on Saturday.

'We want to bring excitement'

Speaking to Carlisle's website, Williamson said he was attracted by the club's strong support, with the Cumbrians averaging over 8,300 across their first three league games at Brunton Park this season despite some poor results.

"The club is incredibly well supported, it's a passionate club, a historic club," he said. "I spoke to the owners and could see the passion and values they embodied. It felt right."

Williamson was known for his possession-based style of play at MK Dons and that was in evidence when his side beat Carlisle 3-0 last month.

That appeals to Piatak, but the new boss is keen to develop a style that connects with the Cumbrian club's supporters.

"We've got a certain way we want to play but mainly we want to bring intensity and excitement," he said.

"We want to attack the backline at every opportunity and we want to connect that with the fans.

"We want the fans to get behind us and create that real unity because when this place is rocking, it is a force."