Carlisle United Sporting Director Rob Clarkson aims to emulate previous success at Brunton Park

ITV Border journalist Jack Currie spoke with Carlisle United Sporting Director Rob Clarkson

Carlisle United's Sporting Director Rob Clarkson is aiming to emulate previous success he has had and help lift the Blues away from potential relegation out of the football league.

Clarkson has been brought in to assist manager Mike Williamson through the role of Sporting Director.

He has previously worked at clubs including Manchester City and Rangers and is looking to use his skills learned in those roles into his new one at Brunton Park.

Speaking about the job he will be doing in Cumbria, Clarkson said: "The key elements that I will be looking after is the recruitment, the coaching staff, the medical team, analysis and the academy.

"It is a big role, it is a broad role, but it is one that I am enjoying."

And Clarkson said it was an obvious decision for him to join the Blues.

He said: "Size of club, fanbase and then the ambition.

"So the owners were very clear from the outset when I met them, where they want the club to be. That was really exciting for me, particularly as a first time Sporting Director it is always important that you chose the right club and right ownership."

Clarkson spent many seasons at Manchester City and undertook a number of roles during his time at the club.

He learned from many top coaches during his time there including Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.

He said: "I had five years there and I did a lot, worked with a lot of really good people and good coaches and some top talent.

"I straightaway saw an elite environment and how that looks on and off the pitch. I like teams to play from the back, through midfield, be exciting and good to watch.

"That was always the type of way I liked to play as a player, playing in youth teams and then going to Manchester City and my jobs since then as well.

"It is important to me that we play a certain way that matches what the owners want and what the manager wants as well."

Clarkson then moved onto Rangers where he became Head of Domestic Scouting for the club, leading a team in charge of all transfers involving British clubs.

During his time there he played a key role in the signing of Joe Aribo, Glen Kamara and Calvin Bassey. All players who were sold on for a big profit.

He said that he wants to follow the same formula at Carlisle United.

He said: "We want to invest and to find assets and younger players that are developing and improving and we get them at the right point and then they can really develop with us.

"Clearly we can see that we are not scoring enough goals so therefore we need to create more and score more. That would suggest the top end of the pitch whatever that would look like."

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...