Former Carlisle United boss Chris Beech sacked by AFC Fylde

Beech has paid the price for a poor start to the season which sees Fylde second bottom after eight games.

The club on Sunday announced they had parted company with Beech and his assistant Nick Anderton, the former Carlisle captain.

Fylde's 3-0 defeat to York City on Saturday proved the 49-year-old's last game in charge. The fifth-tier club have won one, drawn two and lost five of their opening eight league matches in 2024/25.

AFC Fylde confirmed the decision in a short statement that said: "The club can confirm that they have parted company with Chris Beech and his assistant Nick Anderton.

📝Club Statement

AFC Fylde can confirm the club have today parted company with Chris Beech and Nick Anderton.

Everyone at AFC Fylde thanks Chris and Nick for their efforts during their time at Mill Farm and wishes them all the very best for the future.#BornToBeFylde

— AFC Fylde (@AFCFylde) September 15, 2024

"The club would like to place on record their thanks to both Chris and Nick and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

"Club Chairman David Haythornthwaite will be providing an update to the club website on the reasoning, and how the club intend to move forward tomorrow evening.

"In the meantime, Chris Neal and Nathan Delfouneso will be taking charge of all first-team matters ahead of Tuesday night’s game against Southend United."

Nick Anderton has also left his role as Beech's assistant (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Beech had originally joined Fylde as director of football in December 2022.

He then stepped up to the dugout last October after the sacking of previous head coach Adam Murray, the former Blues midfielder.

Beech guided Fylde to safety and was handed the permanent reins, having also brought in Anderton to his backroom team for the former Blues defender's first role in football after his cancer fight.

Beech brought in some of his former United signings this summer with defender Corey Whelan, midfielder Joe Riley and striker Offrande Zanzala joining Fylde.

A fourth straight defeat, though, has spelled the end for the man who was in charge of Carlisle from 2019 to 2021.

The former Rochdale No2 was appointed by the Blues as Steven Pressley's successor and guided United to League Two safety in his first campaign, which was ultimately cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2020/21 Beech then led Carlisle to the top of the table before they fell away to 10th in the second half of the season.

A poor start to 2021/22 then cost Beech his job at Brunton Park.