Ex-Preston North End and Norwich City coach leaves club alongside Man United legend
He has left his role after 11 months
Former Preston North End boss Frankie McAvoy has left his role at Carlisle United.
The Scot, who has departed alongside head coach Mark Hughes, was the club’s first team coach and joined the Blues last June. Hughes, a Manchester United and Wales legend who had previously managed Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Stoke City, had been in charge at Brunton Park since February 2025.
They were relegated to the National League in May of that year - a second successive relegation for the club - and were widely expected to challenge for automatic promotion this season.
After finishing third on 95 points, they hosted Boreham Wood in the play-off semi-finals but lost 2-1. Carlisle announced on Wednesday afternoon that Hughes and McAvoy had left their roles. In a statement, the club thanked McAvoy “for his service and contribution during his time at Carlisle United.”
He was often on media duty for the club - before and after matches - and took charge of their 1-0 win at Wealdstone in August, while Hughes attended a family commitment. McAvoy was Alex Neil’s assistant at Hamilton Academical and Norwich City and followed him to Preston.
Upon Neil’s departure in March 2021, he took temporary charge for the remaining eight games and was given the permanent head coach job, in May, after winning five of those matches. North End dismissed him in December of the same year after winning six of PNE’s 21 league games.
Two months later, McAvoy joined Hearts as their Academy Director, before briefly becoming head coach in June 2023. He transitioned into the assistant head coach position as he and Steven Naismith switched roles. The Scot then became interim assistant at AFC Fylde in the final two months of their 2024-25 season, before joining Hughes’ team at Carlisle.