MK Dons boss Mike Williamson has emerged as the man Carlisle United want to be their new head coach.

The former Gateshead chief is in the frame to become Paul Simpson's successor at Brunton Park.

Reports this morning pointed to a move for Williamson, who has been in charge of League Two side MK Dons since last October.

The News & Star also understands the ex-Newcastle United defender is now a leading candidate for the role and the Blues are aiming to seal a deal to secure Williamson's services.

Carlisle are also recruiting for a sporting director and the man in that role at MK Dons, Liam Sweeting, is also being linked with the Blues.

United want to confirm the new appointments soon with owner Tom Piatak having said he expects the new faces in place this week.

Williamson, after a successful spell at Gateshead, left for the Stadium MK club last autumn.

He guided MK Dons from 16th to the play-offs in 2023/24 before losing to Crawley Town in the semi-finals.

This season MK sit 20th after six games, winning two and losing four so far in League Two.

One of their victories was an emphatic 3-0 win over Paul Simpson's Carlisle a week before the former Blues boss left the club.

Williamson at Gateshead attracted praise for overseeing a progressive passing game which featured during the north east club's promotion from National League North in 2022 and their subsequent progress in the National League.

They finished 14th in their first season back in non-league's top tier in 2022/23 before Williamson's successor Rob Elliot led them to sixth last season, while Heed are currently fifth.

Elliot had long been a top contender for the Blues job with bookmakers, with the likes of Leam Richardson and Ryan Lowe leading the betting at different stages.

But things are now pointing towards a move for 40-year-old Williamson if everything can be agreed. MK Dons are in action tonight when they go to Colchester United in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

Assistant Ian Watson, rather than Williamson, gave the club's official interview previewing the game, but Williamson travelled as normal to lead MK Dons in Essex despite the growing speculation. Watson and first-team coach Chris Bell followed the manager from Gateshead to MK Dons last year.

Any United move for Williamson is likely to involve a financial agreement with MK Dons, with Williamson under contract at Stadium MK.

United have not yet commented.

Blues owner Piatak, speaking through the club's official channels, yesterday said the club had identified the head coach and sporting director they expected to appoint.

He said announcements were "very close" and that he expected fans to be pleased with United's choices.

Piatak added that "in football anything can happen", suggesting the moves were not yet finalised - but the American businessman was confident Carlisle would have their new figureheads in place before Saturday's trip to Swindon Town.