Carlisle United have today confirmed that Steven Pressley will be their manager next season.

The Scot, who has been in charge since January on a short-term deal, has signed a new one-year contract at Brunton Park.

That will run until the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

The club's decision ends a period of speculation about whether Pressley would be retained beyond this season.

It follows Friday's win against Lincoln which kept eighth-placed United's play-off hopes alive.

That was Pressley's fifth win from 15 games in charge since he arrived at the club, the Blues now hoping to maintain their promotion challenge at Grimsby tomorrow.

United said the 45-year-old had "impressed everybody at the club" with his "manner and approach".

They also said he had dealt well with some challenging times in recent months and the decision would also help the club plan ahead and achieve "stability".

Director of football David Holdsworth said: "We’re pleased that Steven has extended his contract for a further season.

“He’s demonstrated in recent weeks that he can deal with a range of issues in a measured and level-headed manner and he’s worked very hard within the football department to raise standards in every area.

“He has shown a real commitment to Carlisle and to the football club, which has impressed everybody. Every spare minute is given to team matters and that comes from having a drive and determination to make this club and his team the best it can be.

“With injuries and suspensions, and things like that, it certainly hasn’t been an easy ride for him. From that, the results haven’t always been what Steven wanted, but the players have responded and, with two wins from the last three games against teams at the top of the division, we’ve seen a glimpse of the direction we want this club to go.”

Holdsworth said he and Pressley were already looking at the squad with a view to decisions on players in the summer.

He added: “He has the full backing of the board in what he wants to achieve and, looking shorter term, we know we have three massive games ahead of us.

“We’re at a stage where we want stability, so we can start to plan properly, and we feel Steven has the skills required of a very good manager. We’re looking forward to working with him and to supporting him as we look to push this club on to where we all feel it should be.”

Chairman Andrew Jenkins, meanwhile, praised Pressley's "calm, diligent and methodical managerial style" and his work ethic.

“He’s enjoying working at the club and he really has taken Carlisle United and Cumbria to his heart," the veteran co-owner said.

"When talking to him you can see instantly that he’s desperate to bring the success he feels the club deserves.

“We’ve watched him closely over the past few months and we’ve seen a manager who has a clear vision of what he wants to achieve. He’s already faced some difficult challenges but, despite that, he’s kept a level head and a real focus on where he feels things can be improved.

“We’re delighted that he’ll be staying with us and, as we saw on Friday, when he has the players at his disposal he employs an exciting brand of attacking football. With three big games to go we all genuinely hope that Steven will be starting his first full season with us in League One.

“Whatever happens we feel this is an exciting appointment and we’re looking forward to seeing him really stamp his mark and help us to move the club forward.”

Pressley has overseen a haul of 19 points from his 15 matches in charge after he was brought in following John Sheridan's departure to Chesterfield.

The former Falkirk, Coventry and Fleetwood boss told United's website he was "really chuffed" to be given a longer deal and that he had been "desperate" to stay, and hopes he and Carlisle will be starting 2019/20 in League One.

“It’s about now making the appropriate changes going forward and really trying to push it on and getting my teeth into those things," he said.

"I’m really excited, and really honoured to be the manager of this club moving forward.

"There are so many good things around this football club, we’ve got a terrific fan base and I think we’ve got the potential to build a really good squad for next season."

Earlier this month Holdsworth said the decision on Pressley' future would be based on "facts" rather than "opinions".

He said it would be "based on an ability to improve us and take us where we need and want to be."