Former Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson has released a statement via the League Managers’ Association, reflecting on his departure from Brunton Park.
The 58-year-old, who left the club nine days ago after a poor start to the League Two season, expressed gratitude to his former colleagues, the club’s supporters, and local businesses.
Simpson, who had been at the helm since February 2022, said he believes The Cumbrians are well placed to bring back good times after a horrible relegation campaign has bled into the current League Two season. He also reaffirmed his personal connection to the team, referring to Carlisle as “my club” and pledging his continued support as a fan.
In his statement, Simpson said: “After two and a half years, I leave Carlisle United with immense pride in what we achieved together. When I came back in February 2022, our initial goal was to retain our Football League status and then to build the club, in order to leave it in a stronger position.”
Reflecting on the challenges of last season, which included relegation from League One following promotion the previous year, Simpson remained optimistic about the future. “Last season was a massive disappointment, although I believe the squad assembled for this season can bring good times back to the club. The football club is in a good place,” he added.
Simpson went on to thank those who contributed to his tenure, saying, “I would like to say a massive thank you to all of the players and staff, who worked tirelessly through the good times and the bad times. Without these dedicated people, we would have achieved none of the success.”
He also expressed his appreciation for the local community, saying, “Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to the local businesses and supporters. In 2022 I asked you all to get on board for the ride, and by God you have. The support my family and I have received has been incredible and I thank you all for that.”
Simpson did not address the circumstances of his departure, which followed Carlisle’s 2-1 home defeat to Tranmere Rovers on August 31. The club’s owner, Tom Piatak, stated last week that while the decision for Simpson to leave was mutual, it was not officially classified as a sacking.
Simpson first took over at Carlisle in 2003 when the club was struggling, and he immediately made an impact. He led them to promotion from the Conference in 2005 and followed that up with another promotion to League One the very next season. His success at Carlisle established him as a talented manager capable of turning clubs around.
Following his first spell at Carlisle, Simpson moved on to manage Preston North End in the Championship. However, he struggled to replicate the success he found at Carlisle, and after a couple of difficult seasons, he was sacked in 2007. He later had brief stints at Shrewsbury Town and Stockport County, but neither produced the kind of results he had achieved earlier in his career.
In 2017, Simpson took on an entirely different challenge, becoming head coach of the England U20 team. His work with the national team led to a major achievement when he guided England to victory in the U20 World Cup that same year, a significant milestone in his career.
Simpson’s second spell at Carlisle began in 2022, when he returned to help the club avoid relegation from League Two. His arrival had an immediate impact as Carlisle retained their Football League status. Last season, he was unable to stop them dropping out of League One at the first attempt, and a poor run of results saw him leave the club.
Carlisle United are now seeking a new sporting director, with David Flitcroft heavily linked to the role. They’re also hunting a head coach following Simpson’s exit, which also saw Gavin Skelton and Billy Barr, head of performance Jake Simpson, and rehabilitation coach Geoff Haugh leave Brunton Park.
Writer’s View
Clearly, Paul Simpson’s love for Carlisle United runs deep, and his connection with the club goes beyond just the manager role. Having led the club to promotion during his first stint and returning in 2022 to help them avoid relegation, Simpson has consistently shown his dedication to Carlisle. His passion for Carlisle and the community has always been evident, and he took great pride in steering the team through the highs and the lows. The bond between Simpson and Carlisle has been more than professional; it’s personal, making his departure even more poignant for everyone involved.
Parting ways with the club he loves must be incredibly tough for Simpson. After two and a half years back at the helm, the recent decision to step aside after a difficult start to the season would have been heartbreaking for someone so deeply invested in the team’s success. The same can be said for the fans, many of whom have seen Simpson as a manager and a symbol of the club’s fighting spirit and resilience. While the decision to part ways was framed as mutual, the emotional toll on both sides must be significant, as both manager and club have been through so much together. It’s not often in football that such strong ties between a manager and a club are formed, making this separation a particularly difficult one to bear.
