PAUL SIMPSON has departed as Carlisle boss with “immediate effect” after a dire start to their League Two season.
The former Manchester City midfielder, 58, had returned for his second spell in charge of the Cumbrians two years ago.
But Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to Tranmere Rovers was the final straw – with ex-Carlisle winger Omari Patrick netting twice.
It left Simpson’s men 20th, with just one point from four L2 games.
The Cumbrians were relegated back to the EFL’s bottom tier in May – straight after he’d taken them up.
They picked up just 30 points in coming bottom of L1.
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Assistant managers Gavin Skelton and Billy Barr, plus head of performance Jake Simpson, have also left Brunton Park.
Yet just hours earlier, after defeat to Tranmere, Simpson insisted he’d keep on fighting.
However, the club said in a statement later the same evening: “Carlisle United Football Club can confirm that manager Paul Simpson has tonight left the club with immediate effect.
“Gavin Skelton, Billy Barr and Jake Simpson have also departed.
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“Mark Birch, Steven Rudd and Jamie Devitt will take temporary charge of first team affairs while the club begins the recruitment process.
“Everyone at the club would like to thank Paul and his staff for their efforts during their time at Brunton Park.
“A further update will be provided early next week.”
Carlisle have not clarified if Simpson was sacked, agreed to go or resigned.
But he had initially performed wonders after returning to the club in February 2022.
The former Rochdale, Preston and England Under-20 chief somehow keep them in L2 that season.
The Cumbrians then went up the following term – only to come straight back down.
New club owners the Piataks stood by Simpson over the summer.
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And he even made his 12th signing of the transfer window on deadline day – borrowing midfielder Harrison Biggins from Shrewsbury.
But 24 hours later, second-half pressure failed to earn an equaliser against Tranmere – a failure that might just have cost Simpson his job.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
