League Two Carlise United are on the hunt for their next manager after the sacking of Mike Williamson on Transfer Deadline Day. However, one of the early contenders is now out of the race, with the process moving towards its conclusion.
Former Swindon Town and Lincoln City manager Mark Kennedy is now out of the running to take over at the fourth-tier side.
The 48-year-old has been out of work since departing the Robins earlier in the season after a challenging start to the campaign and has been linked to several jobs in League One and Two over the last few months.
However, sources have revealed to The Deck that the Irishman has been “pipped at the post” with the Cumbrians closing in on their appointment.
It is understood that they have considered Mark Hughes, Paul Hurst and Michael Appleton amongst others as potential options with the former currently the favourite in some circles.
From Bad to Worse for Carlisle United
Carlisle United swooped in and took Williamson from MK Dons, paying a compensation fee to secure his signature. However, in his 25 games in charge he recorded only five wins alongside six draws and 14 defeats, conceding 37 goals in the process.
Heavy defeats to AFC Wimbledon and most recently Swindon Town laid bare the issues at the club, which ultimately cost him his job.
The club have been active in the transfer window, with Joe Hugill joining on loan from Manchester United, Paul Dummett making the move from Wigan Athletic and Elliot Embleton dropping down from Blackpool amongst many more.
With the transfer window now over, whoever does come in to take over the club will be left to do so with a squad largely assembled to play Williamson’s style of football, which may push a decision on a new manager down a certain route. They sit bottom of the League Two table five points from safety.