Carlisle United say they are striving for a “positive outcome” to the shock departure of coach Dan Watson - the timing of which has been criticised by Blues bosses.

Goalkeeping coach Watson left Brunton Park last week, citing personal and family reasons, hours later joining former United manager Keith Curle at Northampton.

The circumstances have left a sour taste according to Carlisle’s director of football David Holdsworth.

It is understood Watson informed Blues chairman Andrew Jenkins of his intention to leave shortly after the recent 1-0 win at Oldham.

Holdsworth said: “We are very disappointed at the timing of Dan’s departure.

“He handed in his resignation straight after the Oldham match - he didn’t inform [manager] John Sheridan, which would have been the respectful thing to do in the first place.

“We felt we had started the season very well, with a structure forming nicely, so this came as a bombshell to the club.

“Dan cited personal reasons and travel, but hadn’t suggested this had been a problem while he was here.”

Watson’s appointment to Curle’s Cobblers backroom staff was confirmed last Monday, Holdsworth claiming the coach had earlier that day denied having another position lined up.

He added: “When Dan walked out [of Brunton Park] last Monday morning, and said he hadn’t got another job, for him then to appear at his new club straight away…it doesn’t sit well with me.

“Because he assured us he didn’t have another job, we didn’t want to stand in his way and we wished him well.”

Sheridan has said he hopes to confirm a replacement this week.

Holdsworth added: “As a club we are restructuring after the disappointment of not going up last year when the club threw everything they could at promotion under the previous manager.

“Dan was treated extremely fairly. The previous bonus scheme has been highlighted as having to be redone, because it wasn’t favourable to our club.

“Going forward, we want our supporters to know that we will do our best to bring in people to the club with integrity and respect.”

Watson, who joined Carlisle last November, had been retained as part of Sheridan’s backroom team after the summer departure of Curle and his other first-team coaches.

Holdsworth added: “The timing of this has left John and the club short in the goalkeeping department, but we are making strides to find a positive outcome, with someone who fits into the DNA of our football club.”

The News & Star invited Watson to respond but were told by Northampton that he did not want to comment.