Goalkeeping coach Dave Timmins is leaving Carlisle United.
Manager Paul Simpson has confirmed that the experienced coach will soon depart the Blues.
Simpson said the man who returned to Brunton Park early this season from Ayr United wanted to return to Scotland.
Carlisle are now set to advertise the position, leaving them seeking their third keeper coach in consecutive campaigns.
Timmins, 53, replaced Paul Gerrard in the role last summer.
Simpson told the News & Star: “We’re going to have to change the goalkeeping coach. Dave wants to go back up to Scotland.
“He’s come down here, he’s thrown his world into the club, he’s moved into a place in west Cumbria, but he just said his whole value of life and his enjoyment is up in Scotland.
“He just said, ‘I’m so much more relaxed as a person [there]’ and I think that’s important.”
Timmins is the latest member of United’s backroom staff who’s set to depart, with head physiotherapist Chris Brunskill also leaving this summer.
“Like Chris Brunskill, his value of his life is more important than football – he’s made that decision, and Dave is exactly the same,” said Simpson.
“The goalkeeping coach role will be advertised probably in the next day or two because that’s something where we need to get the right person.”
Simpson played down any suggestion Carlisle could try and bring back Gerrard, who was a key member of last season’s promotion-winning staff. He left the club on the eve of 2023’s pre-season.
“He moved on, for his own reasons,” said Simpson. “It’s a case of we’ll advertise it and see who comes in, simple as that.”
Simpson, meanwhile, has confirmed that he wants Billy Barr to remain at Brunton Park next season.
The first-team coach returned to Carlisle in February.
“Although the visible difference in terms of results hasn’t been there, I honestly believe my perception of it is that he’s added value to us,” said Simpson of the 55-year-old.
“We will look to try and keep Billy as an additional coach.
“He’s keen to stay. He’s enjoyed it here.
“Billy’s in a situation a little bit like me – he’s been slammed from pillar to post because we left to go to Preston. That was the situation in 2006 – it’s a long, long time ago.
“He’s gone away, worked at all sorts of clubs, got great experience working with some good managers, had some success along the way, so I think he’s a real good addition.
“That’s a conversation that will be ongoing over the next few weeks.”
Simpson said he was happy with the size of his backroom staff, pending the filling of the physio and goalkeeper coach vacancies.
“I think we’ve got the right people in place and it’s just a case of making the additions over the next few weeks,” he added.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here