Carlisle United linked with coach amid No2 speculation
Frankie McAvoy, main photo, has been linked with Carlisle amid speculation over the future of Glyn Hodges, left (Image: PA / Richard Parkes)
Carlisle United have been linked with experienced coach Frankie McAvoy amid speculation surrounding Mark Hughes' backroom team.
Reports in Scotland suggest former Preston North End boss McAvoy is poised to join the Cumbrians.
Advertisement
United are in the market for a first-team coach after Jamie Devitt, who held the position under Hughes last season, returned to his academy role.
But there are suggestions McAvoy could join as assistant to Hughes - casting doubt over the future of Glyn Hodges.
United are yet to confirm the full make-up of Hughes' coaching staff for the 2025/26 season.
Carlisle United trust bosses on club 'reset', criticism, changes and plans
Any suggestion of a surprise departure for Hodges, just weeks after it was confirmed he would be staying at the club, would be a blow to the head coach.
Hodges has long been a trusted No2 to the Blues' boss.
Advertisement
Hodges, right, has been Hughes' No2 since February at Carlisle, having also worked with the Blues boss at other clubs (Image: Richard Parkes)
But McAvoy, 51, would be an experienced alternative should suggestions of his impending arrival prove accurate.
The Greenock Telegraph have reported that Scottish Championship club Greenock Morton wanted McAvoy as No2 to boss Dougie Imrie, but that McAvoy is instead Brunton Park bound as Hughes's "assistant".
Carlisle have been approached for comment.
The speculation comes at the start of the first full week of pre-season training at Carlisle, after players returned for testing last Thursday.
Advertisement
Former Carlisle United midfielder set for pre-season reunion with Blues
Hodges was nowhere to be seen in the club's official photo gallery from the first day's work, which took place in the Neil Centre, analysis room and on the training pitch at Brunton Park.
Other senior members of the backroom staff were all pictured, such as returning goalkeeping coach Jack Cudworth, head physio Sophie Birnie and strength and conditioning coach Adam Kwiecien.
McAvoy was most recently with AFC Fylde as interim assistant boss in the closing months of last season.
He had a spell in charge of Preston in 2021, before roles as academy director, head coach and assistant boss at Heart of Midlothian.
He previously coached at Dunfermline Athletic, Hamilton Academical and Norwich City.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
4 hours ago
- New York Times
Ollie Watkins on Manchester United striker shortlist if Rasmus Hojlund leaves
Ollie Watkins is on Manchester United's list of potential centre-forward recruits in the event that Rasmus Hojlund leaves the club. There has been contact between Old Trafford executives and their Aston Villa counterparts, via intermediaries, to explore the prospect of a deal, as United weigh up several striker options. Advertisement Conversations between United and Aston Villa concerning Marcus Rashford at the end of last season included the prospect of Watkins being involved in any possible summer transfer. The clubs held discussions despite there being a £40million (€46.7m; $54.8m) option for Villa to buy Rashford. Ultimately, Rashford's desire to join Barcelona put an end to that possibility. United's full focus at the moment is agreeing a deal with Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo and then pushing for the sales which are required to free up further funds. In the background, they are also assessing the market on strikers, Watkins included. It is not guaranteed one arrives if outgoings are insufficient. At this stage, a check call on Watkins is the extent of the dialogue, with Villa having been looking to see which of their players might attract significant money, including Emiliano Martinez. Any movement is only expected as the window progresses. Watkins has 75 goals in 184 games for Villa in the Premier League, reaching double figures in each of his last five seasons, and is seen by some at United as the transfer target most likely to be a reliable source of goals in England's top-flight. Watkins registered 24 goals and assists in the Premier League during the last campaign, behind only Alexander Isak (29) and Erling Haaland (25), among strikers. At 29, Watkins would be a departure from the profile of younger players signed since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in United, but the moves for Matheus Cunha, 26, and Mbeumo, 25, demonstrate head coach Ruben Amorim's desire for new faces who are at their peak now. From Villa's perspective, trading a player for significant cash would help solve their potential issues on Premier League profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), although they have agreed a deal to sell their women's team to aid compliance. Advertisement In January, Arsenal held talks over Watkins with Villa seeking a £60m fee. Arsenal valued him at the £40m mark, however, and the deal never got close to completion. Villa feel Watkins is still worth that larger figure, following another productive season and with three years left on his contract. Such a price would be a major consideration for United given Watkins is unlikely to have much resale value. United did have Watkins in mind as an alternative to Hojlund in the summer of 2023, but then manager Erik ten Hag and recruitment staff pressed ahead with the younger striker from Atalanta. In October 2023, Watkins signed new terms at Villa running to 2028. Two years on, Hojlund's future is unclear. The 22-year-old has said he wants to stay at Old Trafford, but clubs are in contact with United over an exit. Inter retain a firm interest and United would prefer a sale, although there is an appreciation internally they might have to accept lower than his book value, which stands at a little under £45m. Such a figure would have an impact on United's PSR calculations, but would at least mean cash going into the accounts, as opposed to a loan. Amorim would like a reunion with Viktor Gyokeres but at this stage, his priority upon leaving Sporting CP appears to be Arsenal, while Victor Osimhen's wages are viewed as too high at United. Frankfurt's €100m price tag on Hugo Ekitike is beyond United's current means. Christopher Nkunku has come up in discussions between Chelsea and United, who are also in touch on Alejandro Garnacho. Analysis by Manchester United writer Carl Anka Leaving aside Watkins' age, a move for him would be a continuation of INEOS' (apparent) transfer strategy this summer. United's business so far appears to favour Premier League-tested attacking players — individuals who would require a shorter acclimatisation period to life at Old Trafford as Amorim attempts to fire back up the league table. As such, a deal for Watkins would be a sensible rather than spectacular move to salve the club's goalscoring woes. The England international scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 38 Premier League games last season, 31 of which were starts. The last two years have seen the England international evolve his game under Unai Emery. Previously a talented but streaky channel runner, he has become a robust goalscorer and valuable focal point to Villa's attack. If he were to move to United, he would become their best goalscoring threat in the air and when shooting within the penalty area. His runs in behind defences should also bring the best out of Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha operating in deeper areas, too.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Man United defender Jonny Evans announces retirement and new role with the Premier League club
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United defender Jonny Evans announced his retirement from soccer on Monday, ending a playing career that included three Premier League titles. The 37-year-old Evans will take up a new role at United overseeing loans and player development. 'I want to officially announce my retirement from my playing career, not with sadness, but with pride, gratitude and excitement for the next chapter ahead," he said. Evans became a free agent at the end of the season following his second spell at United, having graduated through its academy. He also played for West Bromwich Albion and Leicester in a career in which he played 107 times for Northern Ireland. His other major trophies were the FA Cup and two English League Cups. Evans is currently completing his qualifications in coaching. His official title at United is head of loans and pathways. 'Having just finished his exceptional playing career, Jonny is the perfect role model for our young players,' said United director of football Jason Wilcox. "Jonny's knowledge of what it takes to succeed at Manchester United will be of great benefit to each of them as we continue to develop world-class talent capable of performing in our first team.'
Washington Post
6 hours ago
- Washington Post
Man United defender Jonny Evans announces retirement and new role with the Premier League club
MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United defender Jonny Evans announced his retirement from soccer on Monday, ending a playing career that included three Premier League titles. The 37-year-old Evans will take up a new role at United overseeing loans and player development. 'I want to officially announce my retirement from my playing career, not with sadness, but with pride, gratitude and excitement for the next chapter ahead,' he said.
