LEAGUE Two strugglers Carlisle United have appointed Paul Simpson as their new manager - hours after parting company with manager Keith Millen.

The Cumbrians have announced this morning that Millen has departed Brunton Park by mutual consent.

It follows a dreadful run of form which has seen Carlisle drop to second from bottom of League Two.

And now the club have announced that Simpson will take over as their new boss.

Simpson has been appointed until the end of the season in a dramatic move to try and steer the Blues to League Two safety.

Millen succeeded Chris Beech in the Carlisle hot seat last October.

He oversaw 17 league games and five cup games in charge, claiming four wins and four draws from those league matches, suffering nine defeats.

The former Brentford defender leaves after less than four months in charge with assistant boss Gavin Skelton taking training today.

In a statement, the club wrote: 'Carlisle United Football Club can confirm that manager Keith Millen has left the club by mutual consent.

'Everyone would like to go on record with their thanks to Keith for his work and efforts since he joined us at the end of October 2021, and we wish him the very best as he moves on from the club.

'Assistant manager Gav Skelton will take today’s training session.'

Meanwhile Carlisle's director of football David Holdsworth has also left the club.

Holdsworth, who had held the role since 2018, has "stepped down" from his role which will not be replaced.

Carlisle are the second League Two club to part company with their manager in 24 hours, following Kenny Jackett's departure from Leyton Orient last night.

The O's, who visit Colchester next Tuesday, dismissed Jackett following their 2-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers, last night.

It was their fourth successive defeat and leaves them five points above the relegation zone.