West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald has turned down the chance to become Carlisle manager.

Sam Allardyce's number two was in the frame to replace the sacked Graham Kavanagh at the club where he previously had a spell in charge eight years ago.

But McDonald has decided to stay at Upton Park leaving the Cumbrians, currently bottom of League Two, looking elsewhere for a new boss.

West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald had been in talks with Carlisle but has pulled out of the running

Neil McDonald has been Sam Allardyce's number two at Upton Park since he took over in 2011

'Obviously there has been a lot of speculation in the local press about Neil McDonald, and I think it's only fair to say that he has formally withdrawn his name from the process and we respect that decision totally,' Carlisle managing director John Nixon told the club website.

'That has made a difference to the shortlist because he was a strong candidate, as far as we were concerned.

Neil McDonald has managed Carlisle before, but left in 2007 just one game into the new season

'He's given it a great deal of thought over the last five to 10 days and he has spoken to us about the situation today.

'He has told us that he has discussed it with his family, having thought about it long and hard, and he has decided that it isn't the right career move for him to make at this point in time.'

Former Millwall boss Steve Lomas has also been linked with the role at Brunton Park.