Director of football David Holdsworth says Carlisle United have acted “intelligently” with the arrival of Steven Pressley.

Holdsworth said the speed of Pressley’s appointment, and the terms he has signed, reflected a sensible approach.

The 45-year-old was yesterday confirmed as United’s new boss some 12 days and two games after John Sheridan’s resignation.

Holdsworth said the Scot was the unanimous choice of the board after United’s first shortlist had been whittled down to four main candidates.

Pressley has signed an initial deal to the end of the season. Holdsworth said: “It’s called intelligence, and being bright - not thinking about giving someone a three-year contract and then having to rip it up and put yourself in a certain financial place.

“People now have got to buy into us. This is the way we’re going. We haven’t got to worry about, ‘oh, will they come?’ It’s changed dramatically.

“Steven’s bought into our DNA, process and work ethos, and that’s the way we’ve got to go forward. It’s got to be sensible, financially and structurally. We’re not throwing silly contracts at people just to buy into people.”

Asked why Pressley had been the preferred candidate, the director of football said: “His mannerisms, the way he talks. He’s a young manager still, only 45 years old, but he’s got a vast amount of experience for a young manager.

“He’s a leader, which stands out. We’re hoping that will transfer into the players. He was a centre-half, not dissimilar to myself, captain of nearly every club he played for, and I like that commodity.

“He’s intelligent in the way he talks. He brings a different type of style to John, and the players I think will be very appreciative of the way he will address them.”

Holdsworth said United could have been recruiting for "a Championship club", such was the quality of the contenders, and that he had some "difficult messages" to send to "people I've known a long time" to inform them that they had been unsuccessful.

Holdsworth said he hoped former caretakers Tommy Wright and Paul Murray will remain as part of Pressley’s backroom team.

“The biggest compliment I can pay to Tommy and Paul is I could have changed the whole structure, but don’t want to. I want them to remain,” he said.

Billy Atkinson, who represents supporters’ trust CUOSC on United’s holdings board, said Pressley had “very good credentials and excellent contacts”.

Holdsworth, meanwhile, says he has identified up to three players United are hoping to bring in before the end of the transfer window, with a focus on attacking and wide players.

He added that United were continuing efforts to re-sign Jerry Yates on loan but the Blues would be "pragmatic" with other targets if he becomes part of Rotherham's immediate plans.

The Millers are hoping to sign a striker which could enable Yates to rejoin Carlisle.