Carlisle United set to step up search for new coach

Blues boss Paul Simpson, who has brought in son Jake as head of performance, is seeking to strengthen further that department of the club.

Simpson jnr was with the squad for the first time at Lincoln City on Saturday since his move from Stockport County.

And he is set to be joined by a new strength and conditioning coach with Jamie Roper set to leave Brunton Park.

Manager Simpson said he believes United’s recent progress demands such staffing changes to help the Blues continue moving forward.

“Over the summer, once we got promoted, when I had an opportunity to look at the whole of the staffing structure, I felt as though we needed somebody with more experience in that role,” said Simpson.

“My ideal scenario was for Jake to come into the head of performance role, but then Jamie Roper has decided he wants to move on – he hasn’t got a job to go to, he doesn’t even know if he wants to stay in football, which is his decision, so we’re going to look to bring somebody else in.

Jamie Roper, United's strength and conditioning coach, is set to leave the club (Image: Richard Parkes)

“We’re hoping to interview for that [this] week with a view to getting somebody in.

“I want to make sure that department is right. We had far too many injuries last year and I’m not standing here saying by bringing Jake in we’re going to get less injuries, because unfortunately you have unlucky ones like JJ Kayode got last week, and even Ben Barclay with his calf…they’re just really unfortunate things.

“But I want to strengthen that department because I want to make sure we’re fit enough to be able to deal with League One football, we are strong enough to deal with it, and also resilient enough to make sure we recover properly after games.

“Jake’s experience will be really important for us. Hopefully there will be more to come.”

Simpson has already worked with his son, but when Jake was a player during their respective times at Shrewsbury Town and Stockport County.

They are now colleagues off the field at United, with Carlisle’s manager saying his son will be keenly aware of what he expects.

“You have to surround yourself with good people,” said the Blues boss.

“Early on in my managerial career I thought I was capable of doing everything, and you realise quickly that you’re not.

“So you get good people, experienced people. It’s fair to say I know [Jake] quite well and that doesn’t half help as well – and he knows the standards I want.

“We’ll keep trying to improve everything. We’re in a position where maybe if everything goes to plan there’ll be a takeover coming soon which will be a real positive thing for the club if that all goes smoothly.

“We have to keep improving as a club. We’ve got a good base at the moment, we keep getting better players in, better members of staff in, and hopefully we keep moving forward to be a better football club.”