We're only 10 matches into Rob Elliot's tenure as Carlisle United manager and already the pressure is starting to mount following an underwhelming start to the season.
The Cumbrians have picked up just two victories and are winless in their last five National League outings, with their latest defeat being a 5-2 thumping at home to Woking, leaving them loitering precariously above the relegation zone.
It's far from the start Elliot envisioned, who stepped into the role at Blundell Park in the summer following the departure of Mark Hughes, and the former Gateshead manager knows he will need to turn the tide quickly if Carlisle are to realise their promotion ambitions.
If the Carlisle hierarchy decide to cut their losses with Elliot, we've assessed the candidates in the frame to replace him...
Next Carlisle United Manager Contenders
Luke Williams
Less than two weeks after being sacked by League One outfit Peterborough United, Luke Williams could have a swift way back into management in the form of Carlisle.
Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke reported that the 45-year-old manager is being considered at Brunton Park in the event that the club opt to part ways with under-fire Elliot.
While Williams may be critiqued for less impressive spells with Swansea City and more recently Peterborough, it was his work with Notts County in the National League that put him in contention for these jobs in the first place, firing the Magpies to promotion via the play-offs in his first season in charge.
Williams deployed a high-tempo, front-footed style of football at Meadow Lane that would be of interest to any National League outfit in search of a manager that can guide them back to the EFL, and so it comes as a surprise to few that Carlisle are seemingly eyeing a move for the London-born man.
Mark Kennedy
Mark Kennedy was linked to the Carlisle vacancy in the summer prior to Elliot's appointment and will likely be in the frame again to take over at Brunton Park.
The former Swindon Town boss has been out of work since leaving his role as head coach of Birmingham City's Under-21s in February, and the former Wolves defender is likely to be enticed by the project of attempting to return Carlisle to the Football League.
Kennedy's yet to really cut a prolonged spell in management and the chance to climb the ladder with the Cumbrians could suit both parties.
Danny Grainger
An individual Carlisle know well, Danny Grainger is currently the lead coach of the club's youth development phase and could make the transition into the senior role.
Grainger has previous managerial experience with Workington and a brief caretaker spell in charge of Falkirk whilst the Bairns were in Scotland's League One.
A player who knows the club inside and out, Grainger's appointment could help to generate a feel-good factor inside Brunton Park.
Craig Mahon
After guiding AFC Fylde to promotion from the National League North last season, Craig Mahon has steered the Coasters to a strong start on their return to the fifth tier.
The Chester stalwart transitioned into management with Curzon Ashton in 2023 and after two successful years with the Greater Manchester outfit, Mahon made the switch to Mill Farm in the summer of 2025.
The Irishman led Fylde to promotion in style, accruing a century of points with his attack-minded philosophy and he could prove to be a shrewd appointment.
