Next CUFC Manager Discussion Thread

It's definitely a huge decision for the BoD (well, more like DH) to make in terms of what we do this season. I know it's easy to look at the situation and panic, but there's still 35 games left - going for an "experienced" firefighter style appointment might not be the best long-term plan.

I'm also not as downbeat on the idea of an ex-player managing us - there's plenty of merit actually in going down that path: someone who knows the club, has spent a bit of time away to get different perspectives etc. Certainly didn't do Cheltenham any harm when they gave Michael Duff the job three years ago - they were in 19th position (they actually dropped further under him to 23rd until he started to pick things up in December). Similar with Mike Flynn - he'd had loads of different roles at Newport (mostly off the field) before becoming first-team coach and then being thrown in at the deep end as manager. Don't think it should be ruled out as an option.

We've probably got to be realistic and say we aren't going to be poaching a L1 or L2 manager - at a push, maybe a smaller National League side (Pete Wild at Halifax for example).

DH is clearly going to be pulling the string mostly on this (as he did with Beech) - with the squad we've got, an experienced old school manager might not be the option, as there isn't many older heads in there they can rely on. As much as anything, we need someone who's a good coach and manager that can mould what is still an alright squad for this level into one that can win matches - I'd not be surprised to get someone with a bit of coaching experience again who has not been a manager yet - maybe Unsworth at Everton U23s (who was in for it before).

ATM, I'd say my five main candidates I'd like to see up for it are Grainger, Thirlwell, Johnston (QotS), Unsworth and McGreal. Wouldn't be amazed if it was someone we'd never heard of mind!

Quoted from HuntingHorn on Monday, 11 October 2025

No way Phil Brown is coming in...not enough SunBed Shops in Carlisle to keep his orange tan topped up.

Wouldn't complain at Flynn, he's shown he can do it in this league but I guess Newport aren't run in the same shambolic way we are.

Didn't Westley just have a team of 6ft+ lumps at Stevenage?? Another Hoofball merchant?

Towards the end Flynn was complaining about some of the ways Newport were run, saying he wasn't happy with it. Suspect he won't move this far north, he's got a young family so probably waiting to see if it goes tits up at Bristol Rovers or Walsall or similar.

Quoted from Corporal Crisp on Monday, 11 October 2025

Sorry to see CB go, but in the circumstances it was the right thing to do.
Real chance for the BOD to do something positive. Learn from giving the job to someone lacking experience and hand it to someone like Tisdale, or Flynn. Personally, I think it's a no-brainer.
However, I fully expect Danny Grainger, Peter Murphy, or Gavin Skelton to be given it. I like these guys, but it's far, far too soon.
Look what experience (Kenny Jackett) has done for Orient.
Another spin of the wheel... Goodness knows who we'll get next - Just hope it isn't some clown, or another.

And yet, it's not doing much good for Mansfield!

The key at the end of the day is getting the RIGHT manager for this squad. Our reliance on a relatively young and inexperienced squad isn't going to change, so find someone to get the best out of it is vital. Whether that's an experienced head or someone who's currently coaching U23s at PL level. Look at how Rob Edwards has slotted in no bother at Forest Green Rovers for instance.

Let’s hope Thirlwell would be a better manager than he was a captain. Not for me.

I’d rather have Lee Clark!

Quoted from MerseysideBlue on Tuesday, 12 October 2025

It's definitely a huge decision for the BoD (well, more like DH) to make in terms of what we do this season. I know it's easy to look at the situation and panic, but there's still 35 games left - going for an "experienced" firefighter style appointment might not be the best long-term plan.

I'm also not as downbeat on the idea of an ex-player managing us - there's plenty of merit actually in going down that path: someone who knows the club, has spent a bit of time away to get different perspectives etc. Certainly didn't do Cheltenham any harm when they gave Michael Duff the job three years ago - they were in 19th position (they actually dropped further under him to 23rd until he started to pick things up in December). Similar with Mike Flynn - he'd had loads of different roles at Newport (mostly off the field) before becoming first-team coach and then being thrown in at the deep end as manager. Don't think it should be ruled out as an option.

We've probably got to be realistic and say we aren't going to be poaching a L1 or L2 manager - at a push, maybe a smaller National League side (Pete Wild at Halifax for example).

DH is clearly going to be pulling the string mostly on this (as he did with Beech) - with the squad we've got, an experienced old school manager might not be the option, as there isn't many older heads in there they can rely on. As much as anything, we need someone who's a good coach and manager that can mould what is still an alright squad for this level into one that can win matches - I'd not be surprised to get someone with a bit of coaching experience again who has not been a manager yet - maybe Unsworth at Everton U23s (who was in for it before).

ATM, I'd say my five main candidates I'd like to see up for it are Grainger, Thirlwell, Johnston (QotS), Unsworth and McGreal. Wouldn't be amazed if it was someone we'd never heard of mind!

Johnston and Wild have around 45% win ratios. There’s no way our BOD will want to bring in someone who could deliver success and threaten their lower league plodding existence.

What's the work permit situation in the UK for a Norwegian citizen following Brexit?

If feasible with that consideration, I'd have Pa-Modou Kah on my shortlist for definite.

On a serious point Piglet, wonder if there are any English coaches working abroad that would be keen? The next Graham Potter basically.

Ian Burchnall was randomly mentioned last time, when he was in charge at Ostersunds. He’s now at Notts County of course…

How about a manager that ticks both the ex player and Ostersunds boxes?

Step forward Brian Wake

Quoted from stu on Tuesday, 12 October 2025

Would DG take the wage drop and loss of esteem going from being Falkirk assistant coach to CUFC manager?

Ehhh, are you being serious?? We're talking about FALKIRK here not bloody PSG.

Danny Grainger all day long for me.

A local lad and a big Carlisle fan to boot.
Whilst captain here had the total respect of his team mates.
Would often lead the team out for training whilst Curle, Dykes and West were discussing baffling team selections on the back of a fag packet
Not frightened to speak his mind, he challenged Curle to say he thought the squad at the time wasn't fit enough and weren't training hard enough.
He challenged the hierarchy about contractual issues whilst here, not for himself but other members of the team.
Incredible attention to detail.
And generally an all round good egg

So no doubt we'll end up with Danny Doolittle.

He sounds a bit too outspoken for Nixon and Co. to handle.

I’ve heard Billy Barr has put in for it.

Quoted from MerseysideBlue on Tuesday, 12 October 2025

On a serious point Piglet, wonder if there are any English coaches working abroad that would be keen? The next Graham Potter basically.

I know he's Welsh, but what about Carl Robinson?

(The one currently working in Australia, not the MK Dons one)

Incidentally, Zigor's a former team mate of Holdsworth's.

A bit left field, but so is Dean Keates...

Quoted from Piglet_Phoenix on Tuesday, 12 October 2025

Incidentally, Zigor's a former team mate of Holdsworth's.

A bit left field, but so is Dean Keates...

Holdsworth used to manage Paul Heckingbottom, surprised he’s not showing in the betting…

Heckingbottom probably gets paid more in his role with Sheffield United U23's than he would here.

If we're looking at U23 managers, how about David Unsworth? He's already worked with half our team...

I wonder if the Laffster's been on the blower to Billy Davies again?

You need our board (Morecambe) selecting your next manager. Only 5 managers since 1993 and 3 of them have won us promotion (Jim Harvey , Sammy McIlroy and Derek Adams) and one of the other 2 (Jim Bentley) kept us in the EFL through all sorts of problems like ownership and unpaid wages.

We now have another terrific manager in Stephen Robinson who took Motherwell to 2 cup finals and into Europe on 4,000 gates when competing against Rangers and Celtic !

Steven Robinson seems a good shout then, great suggestion Morecambe_Red.

Quoted from cousinscotty on Tuesday, 12 October 2025

I have a problem with appointing former CUFC players as managers/coaches - for instance Grainger, Aranalde, Thirwell, etc. Currently these are really popular former players who we would welcome back to the City but if/when their managerial tenure goes pear-shaped then they are not so popular. Look at Simpson - he went from being one of our best managers to being labelled "Judas" in a heartbeat. It may be that some former players would like to be the manager here if it wasn't for how it might end. As we know, the abuse doesn't always stop with the manager but can extend to his family too...

Football can be really cruel.

The situation at Carlisle is too dire to worry about the reaction if they were to move on to another club

Quoted from nobbyblue on Tuesday, 12 October 2025

Let’s hope Thirlwell would be a better manager than he was a captain. Not for me.

I’d rather have Lee Clark!

It's wrong to conflate a player's playing skills with his managerial skills.

To give two high profile examples, Klopp admitted that "I had fourth-division feet and a first-division head". Wenger had an even less distinguished playing career than Klopp.

I find it amazing that the club come to the decision to sack a manager and they dont have one lined up

Quoted from Piglet_Phoenix on Tuesday, 12 October 2025

I wonder if the Laffster's been on the blower to Billy Davies again?

Billy Davies would be the appointment of the last 50 years. Lots of baggage but forget about league 2

Quoted from Blustone on Wednesday, 13 October 2025

I find it amazing that the club come to the decision to sack a manager and they dont have one lined up

I wouldn’t

Don’t underestimate the so called protests that some on here were promoting for Saturday The decision to sack Chris Beech has taken the pressure off The Board for a week or twoit hasn’t solved the underlying problem that we are rudderless as a club

Succesion.... They are not royalty..ffs


They are obstructing failing [censored]...

Lets stick to calling it a buyout plan.

Is Billy Barr going to walk North for this job just like he said he would walk all the way down the M6 for the Preston position?

If so Billy perhaps you could do it for charity this time.