Carlisle dismiss manager McDonald

McDonald had been in charge of Carlisle for just over a year Carlisle United have sacked manager Neil McDonald after just one match of the new League One season. McDonald had taken over at Brunton Park in June 2006 following Paul Simpson's move to Preston, and led the Cumbrians to eighth place last season. The shock move was revealed in a statement on the club's website. "The board of Carlisle United regret to say that they have lost confidence in Neil McDonald and are terminating his contract forthwith," it read. 606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Neil McDonald's departure "They thank him for his hard work at the club and wish him all the best for his future career. Greg Abbott has been appointed as caretaker manager." The dismissal comes just two days after the Cumbrians began the new season with a 1-1 draw at Walsall - having broken their transfer record to sign Blackburn striker Joe Garner for £140,000 on Friday. Having annouced McDonald's exit on Monday morning, the club issued a second statement later that afternoon - insisting that it would have no effect on the Garner transfer. "The termination of the contract is not a knee-jerk reaction, and is not part of any disciplinary action," it read.

Feliz Año Neuvo

Keeper of the heretic's fork of doom.

Published on 14/08/2007

You’re off! Carlisle United fans were as stunned as Neil McDonald at his sudden dismissal yesterday. Club owner Fred Story, inset, stressed there were no ‘personal’ or ‘disciplinary’ reasons for the sacking, but many feel McDonald's record as a manager was not reason enough in itself to deserve the boot

By Chris Story, Keir Mudie and Jon Colman

CARLISLE United fans are desperately seeking answers as to why Neil McDonald was suddenly sacked as the team’s manager.

The former Blues boss was not the only person to be stunned when he was shown the door at Brunton Park 24 hours ago.

It also came as a bolt out of the blue to the thousands of fans who devotedly support the club and expected the former Newcastle and Everton player – who many applauded for masterminding their successful first season in League One – to lead them well beyond the mere first game of their new campaign.

After all, this was the man that many of them were so worried about losing to his old Bolton boss Sam Allardyce not so many weeks ago after he took charge of Premiership club Newcastle United.

When questioned by the News & Star just hours after the news of McDonald’s departure began to filter out, the magnitude of the announcement was still sinking in.

The former manager’s own words – that his instant dismissal was “a huge, major surprise” – were certainly being echoed on the streets of the city.

Some said that he did not deserve to be sacked and feared for how United will cope with the loss.

Conspiracy theories and rumours of behind-the-scenes unrest, some kind of dispute between McDonald and club executives or even a players’ revolt have also emerged.

There were others, however, who were sure that club chiefs, led by owner and city businessman Fred Story, must have had sound reasons for their decision and knew what they were doing.

The exact circumstances surrounding McDonald’s departure have not been revealed by United or its former boss.

Yesterday’s shock announcement from the club simply said it had lost faith in his ability as manager after just over a year in the hotseat.

But speaking shortly after McDonald’s sacking was announced, Story moved quickly to allay some of the inevitable speculation that would follow.

He said: “There is nothing untoward in this – we have just lost confidence with Neil in his role as manager of Carlisle United.

“It’s not a knee-jerk reaction. We have thought very seriously about it and it’s not something I’m doing lightly.”

Story also said it was “fair to say” that McDonald was not expecting to be axed.

He added: “I like Neil as a person, but I have discussed this fully with the board and we are confident we are doing this in the best interests of the football club.

“This is not a personal issue or a disciplinary issue.

“There are no skeletons in the cupboard on this,”

While United chiefs have stated they will not be rushed into appointing a new manager – with McDonald’s assistant Greg Abbot placed in temporary charge – some fans were already speculating yesterday about who may take control, although Harraby’s Michael White was almost certainly correct when he suggested that Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson was probably “wishful thinking”.