By Mark Heys
June 29 2006

Neil McDonald took his first steps into football management earlier today as he was named as the new manager of League One side Carlisle United. McDonald, a former Bolton player and coach, recently left his post as Assistant Manager of Crystal Palace and his new role with the Cumbrians is his first as a manager in his own right.

The 40-year old replaces Paul Simpson in the Brunton Park hotseat and will be working alongside some familiar names in the shape of his former Bolton collegues Danny Livesey and Michael Bridges.

Carlisle chairman Fred Story beleives that McDonald is the right man for the post despite the fact that a number of experiences candidates had been interviewed for the job.

"We had an awful lot of interest and interviewed some really good candidates.

"I am not going to be derogatory about some of the very high-profile 'show business' names we spoke to, but I am confident Neil McDonald is the right man for the job.

"We have chosen on what is important for Carlisle United, not anything else. He has a lot of contacts in the game and a lot of people are very supportive of his career."