Carlisle United chiefs 'excited' as major appointments loom

Owner Tom Piatak and chief executive Nigel Clibbens gave an update to the Blues’ caretaker coaching team and players on Thursday.

The United chiefs have been away from the club for most of the week speaking to candidates for the head coach and sporting director positions.

They have reported “positive” progress on the situation and are enthused by the current position, said joint caretaker Steven Rudd.

“They [Piatak and Clibbens] haven't said exactly what stage they're at, but they've said they've had a really positive week in terms of discussions with people,” Rudd told the News & Star.

“They were really enthusiastic and quite excited, to be fair.

“You can tell by [people’s] body language, and they seemed very happy and positive this morning when they spoke to the group.

“It's good for the lads to hear and to know that they're going through their process and they're trying to do it as well as they can, which I'm sure they will.

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“We don’t know the when and the who – we don’t want it being a distraction. But it was great to have a little update this morning [from them to say], ‘We’re on with the process, we’re very excited about what the future holds, and you concentrate on Saturday’.

“Obviously they're further down the road [with things] today than they were earlier in the week, which is a positive.”

This weekend's clash with Fleetwood could be the last under interim bosses Mark Birch, Jamie Devitt and Steven Rudd (Image: Martyn Haworth)

Rudd admitted it is possible that this weekend’s game against Fleetwood Town could be the last under the interim regime which includes himself, Jamie Devitt and Mark Birch.

That, though, has not yet been confirmed as the club move towards the latter stages of the appointment processes.

Former Wigan Athletic and Rotherham United boss Leam Richardson emerged on Thursday night as the new 1/2 bookies' favourite with previous favourite Rob Elliot's odds lengthening from 1/4 to 2/1.

“It’s definitely not been made black and white because, obviously, football can change daily, even hourly, in this day and age,” Rudd said when asked if it had been clarified if this weekend would be their final game in interim charge.

“If Saturday is the last one for us, we want to go out with a win and then support whoever comes in.

“We’ve got one job – preparation and then getting some points on the board on Saturday and then the people above us will tell us, ‘Right lads, thank you’ – and whenever that might be, who knows.”

United are expected to appoint a sporting director ahead of the arrival of a head coach although the club are keen to bring both situations to a head soon.

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Rudd said the players are sharing in the excitement about a new start at United but said their focus will remain on performance whatever happens.

“We’ve said to the players it can't be a distraction for us – the people above us are handling that situation,” added the joint caretaker.

“Our job is Fleetwood on Saturday, 3pm, and getting three points for the club.

“There are a lot of experienced heads in the group and they’ve all been through this process before of a new manager coming in.

“Whoever is stood on the sideline and giving them information, the players’ job is to turn up, play well, get three points and that doesn't change.

“But it’s exciting times. And hopefully, whenever the appointment's made, it'll bring a real excitement and buzz that we can go and really kick on throughout the season.”