Carlisle United Hit With Major Backroom Staff Blow

Carlisle United have confirmed that first-team coach Carl Magnay has left the club for a National League vacancy.

Magnay only spent one month at Brunton Park after making the switch alongside manager Mike Williamson from MK Dons to Cumbria. In a statement published today, The Blues confirmed that the coach had left in order to take the managerial post at Gateshead.

The former full-back spent his final playing days with his hometown club but was forced to retire due to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury. He joined the coaching staff under Williamson shortly after and followed him last October when taking charge in Milton Keynes.

“Wish Him Well”

The Carlisle boss spoke within the official statement, saying:

Carl is a fantastic person to work with, he’s been great to have as part of the staff, but this is a really big opportunity for him and one he couldn’t turn down. 

“We all wish him well and hope he goes on to have a successful time at Gateshead.” 

Gateshead started the season with Rob Elliott, but he was poached by League One side Crawley Town to fill the vacancy left by Scott Lindsey when he succeeded Mike Williamson at MK Dons. Elliott had briefly got The Heed into first place in the National League but soon found themselves behind Barnet before the 38-year-old left.

The Tyneside club are currently fourth in the table after 13 games in the fifth tier and are four points behind The Bees. They are facing an FA Cup first-round replay after being held by Hednesford Town away from home.

Magnay will be joined by former Chelsea Academy teammate Liam Bridcutt at Gateshead International Stadium in what is his first role since retiring last year. The former Lincoln City and Leeds United man was working as a sessional coach with Newcastle United.

Writer’s View

It is a terrific opportunity for Carl Magnay to take his first steps into management. Gateshead have been a massive part of his recent career and now he can bring some EFL experience with him to a club he knows well. The ceiling is very high for The Heed and are very much promotion candidates. Barnet do look like they are running away with the automatic spot so once more the prospect of a day at Wembley lurks on the horizon.

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