New Carlisle United chief Tierney drops assistant hint

Yahoo

20-05-2025

New head of football operations Marc Tierney has hinted that Glyn Hodges will be staying at Carlisle United as Mark Hughes' assistant.
Tierney, in his first interview via the club's official channels, referred both to Hughes and Hodges as he looked forward to starting his role at Brunton Park.
The new United figurehead, who joined from Altrincham last week, spoke about working closely with the coaches in the collective effort to drive Carlisle forward.
'If you look at our head coach, Mark Hughes, he has a wealth of experience, and Glyn,' said Tierney.
'I just can't wait to get started and working with them.'
United's announcement of Hughes' retention on Monday did not mention his backroom team, but it would be a surprise if Hodges, his long-standing No2, was not by his side in 2025/26. It also remains to be seen whether Jamie Devitt will remain in his first-team coach role.
Tierney, meanwhile, has spoken of how he wants to help 'drive standards' in his new role at Brunton Park.
He also says he feels he can help Carlisle prepare for the particular challenges of life in the National League, and believes recruitment is his 'forte'.
Tierney says that 'knowing the level' is important and also referred to the way he has learned his trade in scouting and recruitment under people like Nicky Butt at Salford City.
🗣 We sat down with our new Head of Football Operations, Marc Tierney. In the first of a three part interview, Marc spoke about his background and excitement at joining Carlisle United. 🎥 You can watch the full interview for free on CUTV. You just need to be logged in.
— Carlisle United FC (@officialcufc) May 20, 2025
'Knowing what good looks like at this level and helping in recruitment areas…[that is] one of my fortes,' he said.
Tierney added that having experience of the fifth tier can be 'hugely valuable' and he said a relegated EFL club such as Carlisle must have no 'snobbery' about the level.
He added: 'Look at clubs like Rochdale, Oldham, Southend – big clubs in their own right. Once you get in [to the National League] you want to get out.
'You can't sleepwalk in. You've got to know the league and respect it.
READ MORE: What's in Mark Hughes' in-tray at Carlisle United?
'I think I can help dig into the recruitment side of things, to help the betterment of club, and [the aim is to] raise standards in every department.'
In his CUTV interview, Tierney also referred to some of his contacts, such as Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell, and the former Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman, who now works at Saudi club Al-Diriyah.
The new United man said he has done the 'hard yards' of scouting in the lower leagues, and said he also feels the club's academy is a 'huge area to capitalise on'.
On his move from Altrincham to Brunton Park, meanwhile, the 39-year-old said he was 'straight up here like a shot' when the role became available.
He said his spell as a loan player with Carlisle in 2004/05 had left a positive impression on him and he had always hoped to return.
Tierney added that he had watched United 'a few' times last season and was particularly struck by the 'special' support they received by fans.
'Once you understand what it means to play for Carlisle, it's good to come back and I think I can help the club and push us forward,' he added.
He said of his time at Altrincham last season that he was pleased to play a part in their ninth-placed finish, 'the third highest in the club's history' and said he had had a good 'collaborative' working relationship with the head coach, as well as the club's hierarchy.
'It felt a good time to move on in my career and come to club with such a profile as this one – a huge one in my heart and mind,' he added.
The CUTV interview can be found here.