Carlisle United owner says head coach news 'very close'

The Blues are understood to have identified the candidates they plan to appoint in both roles.

Piatak did not say exactly when an announcement would be made but suggested things were now close - and that the new people should be in place before next weekend's game at Swindon Town.

The American businessman gave an update on the situation through United's official channels.

He said: "We've been working on [the process] for two weeks, we've been very thorough and deliberate.

"The amount of candidates that have applied for both [positions] has been amazing, almost overwhelming.

"We wanted to take our time and be thorough and deliberate.

"We finalised interviews over the weekend and are very close to making an announcement.

"In football anything can happen, but we're very confident we have found the right individuals and they are going to be moving forward with us." 

The process is understood to be at the latter stage of negotiations, two weeks and two days on from the departure of Paul Simpson.

Carlisle's last three games have been under the caretaker management trio of Steven Rudd, Mark Birch and Jamie Devitt.

Piatak's comments raise the prospect of new figureheads being place in time for next Saturday's trip to Swindon.

United's new head coach and sporting director should be in place in time for the trip to Swindon, Tom Piatak has said (Image: Gareth Williams/AHPIX LTD) The Blues' need for new direction on the pitch is clear with the team having lost five of their first six League Two games to sit third bottom of the table.

They have lost seven from eight in all competitions since the start of the 2024/25 season.

Piatak has said he wants a new head coach to oversee a "front foot" style of play, and said this was a priority for the club's hierarchy during the recruitment process.

Rudd, Birch and Devitt are taking training at the start of this week as club bosses look to bring the appointment process to a head.

Piatak added of the imminent appointments: “I'm confident that once they're in and they instil their style of play and how they want to coach, we'll start to see the results.”

The owner also said "seven or eight" individuals were involved in the interview and selection process on the club's behalf.

“I think the club, Cumbria and Carlisle in general is going to be very pleased with the selections," he added.

On the expected timing of the appointments, he said they should be in place in time for the Swindon trip.

"I think that the announcements will be going out shortly. I'm thrilled with the selection that we've made and the choices that we've made," he added.

“They're the right people to take this team forward. And I just can't [wait] for everybody to hear who they are, their experience and what they've been able to do. I think everyone will be very pleased with the selections.”

As well as the new sporting director and head coach, the latter's backroom staff will also need to be put in place.

Piatak, meanwhile, insisted United's aim of promotion this season had not changed despite the team's poor start.

He said that, by making their managerial change early in the season, "I do believe promotion is still a realistic and achievable goal for this club.”

The Blues owner has also put on record his appreciation for Rudd, Birch and Devitt after the academy trio stepped up on an interim basis following Simpson's departure.

“They have been a tremendous trio. I'm just so happy for them. I wish we could have gotten a result, almost for them, for the supporters as well, but for them, for the effort. They stepped up," Piatak added.

“They truly stepped up above and beyond their existing positions. I think they did a phenomenal job. I'm thrilled with all three of them."