Carlisle United have moved to appoint Chris Beech as their new head coach after getting rid of Steven Pressley.
The Cumbrians have tumbled to 21st in the table under Pressley and have struggled for form all season. They’ve won five in the league so far this season, but have progressed to the second round of the FA Cup where a trip to Forest Green awaits.
That will now be Beech’s first game in charge of the club. The 45-year-old had a modest playing career with the likes of Rochdale and Blackpool. He finished his playing days at Spotland and went on to manage their youth setup, with a short stint as caretaker manager to boot. He later became assistant to Keith Hill, but left in March this year, along with the current Bolton boss, who opted not to take him to the Trotters.
Chairman Andrew Jenkins said; “His enthusiasm when speaking to us was fantastic to see, and he was very clear in how he wants to approach the job, both in the short-term and the long-term. We’re looking forward to seeing him put his plans into action and we are all looking forward to working with him.”
On opting for a head coach instead of a manager, Jenkins said; “We’re taking a new approach for the club in defining the position, with us in the past having appointed managers. We see the Head Coach role as being specific to the football department, from first team through to youth team. Chris will pick the team, coach the squad and organise the day-to-day routine as he prepares for each game.”
It’s a dangerous game to play, changing the structure when embroiled in a relegation battle, but with just the bottom spot earning demotion this season, it’s a gamble that could well pay off. These Carlisle fans are not so sure though.
We don’t want an academy manager though Jacob we need a first team manager and he has virtually no experience in that role. Bar a brief caretaker stint where he won a total of….. 0 games. Hardly inspiring surely better candidates applied
— Andy Robertshaw (@AndyRob__) November 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/leecrowe007/status/1199304124250099717
Complete joke – massive massive disappointment. Never even heard of the guy.
— Matt Elliott (@mattselliott) November 26, 2019
The fact that you have to mention experienced and highly respected says it all.
— Brendan Rogers (@BrendanRogers69) November 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/CarlisleOlomola/status/1199293621553573889
Who'd want this job? Trying to polish whichever turd Holdsworth provides him with, feel sorry for the bloke tbh!
— Jordan Walker (@jordanwalker89) November 26, 2019
Give the man a chance!! Yeah got no history but we got pressley in with history and look how that turned out. Best of luck beech
— Jordy brown (@jordybrown17) November 26, 2019
God, what a bunch of morons.