Carlisle United have had over 40 managers since the club was founded in 1904. Amongst others they include Bill Shankly, a former United player who went on to make Liverpool Football League champions three times, Alan Ashman, who took Carlisle to the top of The Football League and Michael Knighton who in 1997 took over the management role while he was chairman.
Managerial history Information correct as of 17 January 2025. (n/a) = Information not available NameNationality ToHonours HonoursRob Elliot28 May 2026PresentMark Hughes6 February 202528 May 2026Greg AbbottGavin Skelton (Caretaker)3 February 20256 February 2025Mike Williamson19 September 20243 February 2025Mark BirchSteven RuddJamie Devitt (Caretaker)31 August 202419 September 2024Paul Simpson23 February 202231 August 2024EFL League Two play-off winners: 2022–23Keith Millen26 October 202123 February 2022Gavin Skelton (Caretaker)10 October 202126 October 2021Chris Beech26 November 201910 October 2021Gavin Skelton (Caretaker)13 November 201926 November 2019Steven Pressley16 January 201913 November 2019Tommy WrightPaul Murray (Caretaker)4 January 201916 January 2019John Sheridan5 June 20184 January 2019Colin West (Caretaker)8 May 20185 June 2018Keith Curle19 September 20148 May 2018 Tony CaigPaul Thirlwell (Caretaker)1 September 201419 September 2014Graham Kavanagh1 October 20131 September 2014Graham KavanaghDavie IronsTony Caig (Caretaker) 9 September 20131 October 2013Greg Abbott5 December 20089 September 2013Football League Trophy Winners: 2010/2011Runners-up: 2009/2010Greg Abbott (Caretaker)3 November 20085 December 2008John WardOctober 20073 November 2008Greg Abbott (Caretaker)13 August 2007October 2007Neil McDonald17 June 200613 August 2007Paul Simpson29 August 200317 June 2006League Two championship Winners: 2005/2006 Football League Trophy Runners-up: 2005/2006 Football Conference promotion play-off Winners: 2004/2005Roddy CollinsReinstated after takeover.July 2002August 2003Football League Trophy Runners-up: 2002/2003Billy Barr (Caretaker)April 2002July 2002Roddy CollinsJuly 2001April 2002Ian Atkins20002001Martin Wilkinson25 June 199910 May 2000Keith MincherDeparted without taking charge of a game.18 June 199925 June 1999Nigel Pearson19981999Michael KnightonDave WilkesJohn Halpin 19971998Dave Wilkes(Caretaker)19971997Mervyn Day19961997Football League Second Division Third Runners-up: 1996/1997 Football League Trophy Winners: 1996/1997Mick Wadsworth19931996Football League Second Division Winners: 1994/1995 Football League Trophy Runners-up: 1995/1996David McCreery19921994Aidan McCaffery19911992Clive Middlemass19871991Harry Gregg19861987Bob Stokoe19851986Pop Robson19851985Bob Stokoe19801985Football League Third Division Runners-up: 1981/1982Martin Harvey19801980Bobby Moncur19761980Dick Young19751976Alan Ashman19721975Football League Second Division Third Runners-up: 1973/1974Ian MacFarlane19701972Bob Stokoe19681970Tim Ward19671968Alan Ashman19631967Football League Third Division Winners: 1964/1965 Football League Fourth Division Runners-up: 1963/1964Ivor Powell19601963Andy Beattie19581960Fred Emery19511958Bill Shankly19491951Ivor Broadis19461949Bill Clarke (Secretary-Manager)(n/a)19451946Howard Harkness(n/a)19401945David Taylor19381940Fred Westgarth19361938Bob Kelly19351936Bill Clarke(n/a)19331935Billy Hampson19301933George Bistow(n/a)19131930North Eastern League Winners: 1921/1922 Runners-up: 1927/1928Dave Graham(n/a)19121913Jack Houston(n/a)19101912Bert Stansfield19081910Jack Houston (Secretary-Manager)(n/a)19061908 Lancashire Combination Division Two Winners: 1906/1907 Lancashire Combination Division One Runners-up: 1907/1908McCumiskey (Secretary-Manager)(n/a)19051906Harry Kirkbride (Secretary-Manager)(n/a)19041905
Notes and references