Paul Simpson on early talks over Carlisle United future amid 'rumblings' from elsewhere

The Blues boss says there have been “very early” discussions regarding the longer term at Brunton Park.

But Simpson said things are still far from a point where he would be ready to commit to the Blues.

And the United manager also said there had been “rumblings” of interest from other places following his superb turnaround at Brunton Park.

He stressed that it was still too early to say what the future held beyond this season but that his nearest and dearest would be his top priority.

Simpson's return as manager has galvanised the Blues (photo: Richard Parkes)

Simpson, speaking at his latest press conference today, said: “We’ve had really early talks at the moment. But it hasn’t left me in a position where I’m thinking, ‘Show me the paper and I’ll sign it’ – we haven’t got to that stage.

“There are rumblings of other things that are going on, which have been rumbling for a while in the background, but in football things rumble along all the time. Nothing happens with some of them.

“It’s still too early, far too early to talk about it.

“I will say the same as I’ve said all along – I was asked to come here for 15 games, that’s still my remit at the moment.

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“Whether anything goes any further than that...but for me to stay at Carlisle United, everything has to be right. I’m sorry to say it, but it has to be right for me.

“This is a situation where I have to think about me and my family. Me and my wife spoke about it coming up here – if anything was to happen, we would be moving up here to come and throw ourselves into it, as we have on about 24 occasions through our married life [by moving to certain places].

Simpson has led the Blues to the brink of safety after just nine games back at the helm (photo: Richard Parkes)

“That [my family] is the first thing I always consider now. Maybe in the past I haven’t done that. Now that really is important, that’s it’s right for me and my family, to make the right decisions.

“I am not prepared to move here and put myself in a situation where I could be sacked very soon because I can’t put out the fires that need to be put out.

“If it’s not right for me, I can’t take it, and that’s where I stand.

“People might think that’s really selfish, but that’s me being really honest about it, it’s where I stand in the situation.

“I’m in a point in my career, and my life to be fair, which has made me realise – in the summer when I got diagnosed with cancer - that I have to do what’s right for me.

“If it’s right for Carlisle United at the same time, brilliant. If it's not we shake hands, move on and see what comes.”

Simpson said the “rumblings” from elsewhere did not mean anything concrete was on the table from another club.

But he said United’s impressive form since he returned to the helm had not gone unnoticed.

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“It’s just conversations that go on,” he said. “It isn’t any club in particular ringing me, but you get enquiries from different places.

“I suppose it’s a reflection of the players who’ve put me onto that position because of how they’ve gone about it. Really, that’s nice. If we hadn’t done well, nobody would be talking about me."

Simpson has previously said that there needs to be clarity on certain top-level matters at Brunton Park before his potential future at the club can be discussed in detail.

United's fans' trust have urged lenders Purepay to come to the table "urgently" to resolve the debt situation (photo: Richard Parkes)

His latest comments come at a time United’s supporters’ trust CUOSC have publicly called on Purepay Retail Limited to come to the table “urgently” to discuss the debt situation.

The Blues owe the firm a seven-figure sum and the debt position is widely seen as a major factor concerning potential ownership change at Brunton Park.

Simpson added: “It’s not the case of [me seeking] assurances – the football club has to be right.

“When I came in, in February, there were all sorts of rumblings of loads of discontent going on in the club.

“Results have managed to stifle them a little bit but it doesn’t mean they go away, there are still issues need resolving.

“I can’t go into it, but at no point have we sat down and I’ve been told all those issues have been resolved, at no point have I been told what sort of budget it is for next season..all the nitty gritty.

“I’m quite sure between now and the end of the season those conversations will happen.

“But if we sit down in the next 48 hours and someone tells me some information that isn’t right for me and I decide I’m not staying, it doesn’t change anything at all – my remit is to get as many positive results from now to the end of the season, and that’s what I’ll continue to do. There’s really nothing more I can say about it.”

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