Carlisle United have today announced the surprise departure of academy manager Darren Edmondson.

The Cumbrian has left his post as the club's youth boss "with immediate effect".

The Blues said they are "looking to make a number of changes" to their academy structure.

Nobody from the United hierarchy has commented further on the reasons behind the 47-year-old's exit from the club.

It is understood Edmondson was informed of the club's decision today.

He had been at the helm of Carlisle's academy since summer 2016, when he replaced Alan Moore.

That marked a return to the club for a man who had been a popular home-grown player at Brunton Park in the 1990s.

A former Barrow and Workington Reds manager, Edmondson worked alongside fellow Cumbrian Gavin Skelton for most of the last two years at United.

Their department has produced four of Carlisle's current senior squad - rookie pros Liam McCarron, Jarrad Branthwaite, Keighran Kerr and Josh Dixon.

Edmondson becomes the third senior figure to leave the coaching set-up at United this summer, after the earlier departures of coaches Tommy Wright and Paul Murray.

Carlisle are believed to be closing in on a new assistant manager but have give no indication yet on their plans to recruit Edmondson's successor.

The club's statement added: "He [Edmondson] leaves with the very best wishes of everyone at the club.

"Further announcements on changes to the academy set-up will be made in due course."

Edmondson has so far not commented.