Former Carlisle boss John Sheridan has spoken for the first time about his decision to quit the Blues after being confirmed as Chesterfield's new manager.

The 54-year-old, officially unveiled by the National League strugglers today, said a range of factors was behind his move.

Among them, he said, was a concern about United's potential next season with their budget.

Sheridan also cited location, family, Chesterfield's contract offer and the fact he knows the Proact Stadium club, having managed there previously.

In an interview with the Derbyshire Times, Sheridan said: “I thought I was doing a really good job at Carlisle but in the back of my mind, I was thinking about next season and the budget they’ve got, where would they go?"

He was appointed by the Blues last summer and took charge of 32 games before resigning last Friday.

His Chesterfield appointment has been an open secret for several days.

Sheridan, who will be assisted by another ex-United man in Glynn Snodin at the Spireites, admitted the move was a "big risk" but said three main factors had taken him back to the club.

"Location, it was a good contract and it’s a club I know,” he said.

"I know [owner] Dave Allen very well, I know Ashley [Carson, director] well and I think I know what I’m going into.

"I had a good relationship with Dave. Dave sacked me last time but we’ve always been on good terms.

“He wants the club to do well and he wants to get them back to where they were, so that was one of the main factors.

“I wanted to get nearer to home, not that Carlisle is a million miles away, but my family is the most important thing, more than football.

“Obviously it’s a big risk but it’s a big club and I enjoyed my time there last time.”

The fact Sheridan already has an assistant manager at the Proact Stadium may be significant for United.

The presence of Snodin may reduce fears Sheridan - who resigned at United last Friday - could return to Carlisle for his former No2 Tommy Wright, who is joint Blues caretaker manager along with Paul Murray.

Sheridan met the media at a press conference where Spireites owner Allen described his appointment as "more than a coup for the club".

Later, he was quotes on the Chesterfield website as saying: "Once I knew the club was interested, knowing Dave [Allen] and how well we got on last time was a big plus. I knew what I was coming to. 

"It was a difficult decision; we were having a decent season, getting in a play-off position with Carlisle, but I probably wouldn’t have moved anywhere else."

United declined to comment in response to Sheridan's "budget" remarks today.

At a directors' press conference yesterday, the Blues said his departure was "not about money" or any problems with the club.

Director of football David Holdsworth said Sheridan's exact reasons for leaving had to remain private.

He added the club had been “managing certain situations” and that they had handled the outcome in the right way, with United set to receive compensation.

Chief executive Nigel Clibbens added: "It wasn’t about money. When he left, John said, ‘I’ve got no issues with the club, how I’ve been treated, the support I’ve been given and how everything’s worked, the relationships…’ That has not been an issue for him.

“It was other factors, and therefore there was nothing we could have done at that point.

“We talked about our plans for the window, opportunities we saw, our position in the league, the fact we can be very optimistic looking forward, [that it] was a brave decision to turn his back on all of that for something else.

“We went through that with him. To go through all that over a seven-day period or so and still end up where we were...it shows the feeling John had that he didn’t want to be here.”