Jamie Devitt’s return to Carlisle United has restored a “good person” to the heart of Brunton Park.

That is the view of Paul Simpson, who has welcomed the former Blues midfield favourite’s appointment to an academy coaching role.

Devitt is the new professional phase development coach in United’s youth set-up, where he will work with the club’s under-18 players.

He will also do some coaching with younger age groups.

It sees Devitt, who had two playing spells with the Blues, back in the United fold.

The 34-year-old Dubliner, who retired from playing whilst with Workington Reds last season, had already been helping out with some coaching with the under-18s.

United made the position permanent for Devitt last Friday.

Manager Simpson said: “It’s brilliant news – I’m delighted.

“He has been helping Birchy [Under-18s manager Mark Birch] over the last few weeks anyway, so I think it's a really positive appointment for the academy.

“Hopefully he goes and has a really good coaching career after finishing his playing career.

“I think in any football club you can't have too many good people, and he's certainly a good person, so I'm delighted he's been offered the job and I'm glad he's agreed to stay.”

Devitt has completed his UEFA B coaching qualifications as well as Talent Identification qualifications.

The former midfielder was on United’s playing books from 2016 to 2019, and then 2022 to 2023, and is a hugely popular figure with supporters.

He said he was “delighted” to be back in a full-time role with the Cumbrians.

In the first game since Devitt’s coaching appointment was confirmed, Birch’s under-18s claimed an impressive 4-1 win over Accrington Stanley in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup.

Goals from Freddie O’Donoghue, Dan Hopper, Olly Penney and Amaru Smith earned victory for the young Blues at Creighton.