Paul Simpson has returned to Carlisle United as manager.

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

Simpson, who famously led the Blues to back-to-back promotions in 2005 and 2006, has rejoined his home-city club after the morning's departure of manager Keith Millen and director of football David Holdsworth.

It represents a last throw of the dice from the struggling Brunton Park club to pull clear of deep relegation trouble.

Simpson's return is likely to prove popular with fans and he will be back in charge for this weekend's trip to fellow strugglers Leyton Orient.

It comes 15 years after he left United, since when he has managed Preston, Shrewsbury, Stockport and England's Under-20s, who he led to World Cup glory in 2017.

He has also coached at Derby, Newcastle and Bristol City, and has recently recovered from renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer.

In a statement, Blues chairman Andrew Jenkins said: “It doesn’t need me to say that Paul is a hugely respected both in Carlisle and across the football world.

“He’s a Carlisle fan, he knows the club, and he knows what it means to the fans.

“He also knows this is a difficult task, but his knowledge, experience and passion will be a huge asset to the dressing room and the club.

“We hope everyone will get behind him and the players through what is a hugely important period.”

Jenkins said United contacted Simpson last night after a decision to "change direction" managerially.

“He agreed that he would come to help his hometown club, and he was insistent that things were done properly in terms of the changeover, and that his appointment would be on a short-term basis at this stage," Jenkins added.

“He now has the support of everyone at the club as we move forward from here.”

Simpson will conduct a press conference at Brunton Park tomorrow.

The respected coach had been cool on the idea of returning to Carlisle one day when he spoke to the News & Star in December.

He said: "Without a Fred Story-type person [the owner under whom he worked from 2004-6], Carlisle’s gonna be a really difficult job.  

“As much as I love Carlisle United, because it’s my home team and a team I supported when I was a kid, I’m probably only gonna get one chance at a management job again.

"I don’t know the politics that are going on there, but Carlisle isn’t in a position where I would be the right person for it, in my opinion.” 

He also said he had been invited by co-owner John Nixon to be part of the process when United were seeking a successor to Chris Beech in October, but said it wasn't the right time.

Simpson has now, though, agreed once again to be the man charged with keeping the Blues in the Football League.

READ MORE: Carlisle United manager Keith Millen leaves club 'by mutual consent'

READ MORE: Carlisle United director of football David Holdsworth leaves Carlisle United