Next Carlisle Manager Odds: Ian Evatt and Steven Gerrard linked

Five points adrift of safety at the bottom of League Two, Carlisle United need a new manager after parting company with Mike Williamson.

The league position makes it an unappealing job in some respects, but after a busy January, they do have the quality of squad on paper, and resources, to build something special, if the new manager can keep them up this season - but who will it be?

EFL pundit Gab Sutton runs the rule over the candidates in the next Carlisle manager odds. 

1. Ian Evatt

Ian Evatt carries two major attractions.

Firstly, he deploys a similar style of play to the outgoing manager, who oversaw the recruitment of 11 new additions, eight of whom featuring on Saturday, so appointing a manager with a completely different approach after the window would make no sense.

Secondly, he has a successful track record, winning the National League title with Barrow in 2019-20, before overseeing progress year-on-year at Bolton, up until this, his final season.

From that perspective, the former Blackpool defender would be a coup.

However, it’s possible that he needs a rest after being in work for seven years, having looked drained at the end of his tenure at Bolton.

2. Ryan Lowe 

Like Evatt, Ryan Lowe has enjoyed an impressive journey up the leagues.

The Liverpudlian won promotions with Bury and Plymouth Argyle in 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively, before laying foundations for the latter’s rise to the Championship, where he kept Preston North End midtable for three seasons.

The 46-year-old’s record on paper is flawless, and his intense management style could be the change Carlisle need after Mike Williamson’s more pensive approach.

The manner of Alan Browne’s Deepdale exit implies Lowe can fall out with people, though - albeit far from the only manager to do so – he’s come across somewhat abrasive in the media on occasion, and quite how good a coach he is, without Steven Schumacher assisting, is up for debate. 

3. Leighton Baines 

It would seem like an enormous risk to hand a relegation dogfight, a team five points adrift of safety no less, to a rookie who has never managed a senior team permanently before.

On the other hand, Baines is highly rated as a coach by the likes of Paul Robinson and David Unsworth, and has overseen the progression of talents such as Harrison Armstrong of England Under-18s.

4. Jim McNulty

Similarly to Evatt, the appeal of McNulty is that his stylistic preferences are aligned with what the club has recruited for, meaning the transfer window hasn’t been wasted.

It’s common for clubs that went down from League Two, especially ones plagued by recent off-field problems, to then struggle in the National League, but Rochdale managed a top half finish last season, and currently find themselves in the Play-Off spots.

So, McNulty is somebody the club could move forward with because he has a stylistic vision, but the fact he’s already proven to deliver results in the lower leagues mean he’s a safer bet to have an instant impact. 

5. Jon Brady

Like other candidates, such as Ryan Lowe, Jon Brady might feel reluctant to take a bottom-end League Two job, having just led Northampton to a safe, midtable finish in League One, after winning promotion.

However, the Piatak family have the wealth to make Carlisle one of the biggest-budgeted clubs in the division next season, as they have been this, so there’s an attraction around what’s possible if survival can be attained this year.

Brady is one of the best out-of-possession coaches outside the Championship, gaining vast admiration for that side of his work from various other managers, whilst building a strong culture and demonstrating admirable adaptability, meaning both he and his players can respond to any challenges that come their way. If the Aussie can hire a specialist in-possession coach in his next job, then there’s every chance that, with the correct resources and support, he could build a team that could get into the Championship in the next five years.

6. Steven Gerrard

After inspiring Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title in 2020-21, unbeaten with 102 points, Steven Gerrard’s managerial career hasn’t quite developed as hoped.

The Liverpool legend didn’t do too badly at Aston Villa in his first half-season, but then lost his job with two wins in the first 12 games of 2022-23, before a move to Al-Ettifaq that didn’t quite go to plan.

Nonetheless, his career so far has been far from disastrous, just not as stellar as he would’ve hoped, but nothing that would preclude him from a bottom-end League Two job as he looks to rebuild his reputation.

While the name Gerrard would appeal to owners Castle Sports Group for obvious reasons, he’d also bring motivational qualities, something the team is calling for right now.