Paul Simpson has tonight agreed a three-year deal to remain as Carlisle United manager.

In news that will prove hugely popular with supporters, the Cumbrian has clinched a deal that will extend his second spell in charge.

It follows a series of talks between the 55-year-old and club directors.

Simpson, having returned to Brunton Park to guide the Blues to safety, had set out his vision to "overhaul" the struggling League Two club.

And United have now handed the manager the opportunity to rebuild his home-city club a second time.

In a statement, Carlisle chairman Andrew Jenkins said: “I think everybody has known that we wanted Paul to stay beyond the Bradford game [the last game of this season], and that he wanted to stay, and that has been reflected in the swift manner in which we have concluded this agreement.

“The length of the contract reflects the fact that we all feel this is a project for the longer-term, and not just a quick fix, and we feel Paul is the right person to take that on.

“Paul has stated quite clearly that he wants to improve aspects of the club on and off the field, and we share that vision.

“He spoke about the fact that he needed things to be right, and we always knew that we had to seize this moment, and not let it slip by.

“We’re delighted that we’ve been able to do that and it’s now time to give him our backing as he sets off on what we hope will be an exciting journey.”

Simpson's new deal, which runs until 2025, sees the former Morton School boy handed the chance to deliver success to the Brunton Park club some 16 years after his first spell in charge.

That stint, from 2003-6, saw Simpson lead United back into the Football League after relegation, and then a second successive promotion via the League Two title.

After subsequent managerial spells at Preston, Shrewsbury, Stockport and a World Cup-winning role at the helm of England's Under-20s - along with coaching roles at Newcastle, Derby and Bristol City - he returned to Carlisle in February at a time the Blues were in the League Two relegation zone.

His appointment until the end of the campaign, in place of Keith Millen, brought a dramatic upturn in fortunes, with seven wins from 12 games securing survival with three matches remaining and a huge swell of supporter popularity behind the Cumbrian.

Simpson will discuss his new deal at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

The announcement comes ahead of the final home game of the season against Stevenage this Saturday.