Carlisle United have confirmed that former Bristol City manager Keith Millen has left the club "by mutual consent" just four months after he was appointed at Brunton Park, with ex-Robins coach Paul Simpson taking immediate charge of the team.
Millen been at the helm for only 22 games across all competitions for the League Two strugglers, winning just six, and the Cumbrians haven't experienced a victory in their last eight matches, dating back to January 8.
That has sent them falling down the League Two standings and into the relegation zone, one point behind Oldham Athletic in 22nd, and potentially bound for the National League.
Carlisle have moved quickly to replace the 55-year-old with former City coach Simpson, who left Ashton Gate in October, taking over at his hometown club until the end of the season.
It was Millen's first full managerial job in England since he was sacked by City in 2011, having previously served a brief stint with Orgryte IS in the Swedish second tier and coaching roles with MK Dons and Crystal Palace.
In a short statement, Carlisle said : "Carlisle United Football Club can confirm that manager Keith Millen has left the club by mutual consent.
"Everyone would like to go on record with their thanks to Keith for his work and efforts since he joined us at the end of October 2021, and we wish him the very best as he moves on from the club. Assistant manager Gav Skelton will take today’s training session."
Millen made more than 60 appearances for City as captain and defender in the late 1990s and early 2000s before working as Under-17 coach and then assistant to Brian Tinnion and Gary Johnson and caretaker manager before landing the manager's job in 2010.
After Steve Coppell's abrupt departure, he led City to 15th in the Championship during the 2010/11 campaign but was dismissed in the following season with the Robins bottom after just one win from 10 matches.
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