Preston North End are close to appointing Paul Heckingbottom as their new manager, according to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook on X.
North End are without a manager following Ryan Lowe’s departure after the opening game of the season, a 2-0 defeat against Sheffield United. The former Plymouth Argyle manager left the club by mutual consent after expressing his wish to leave the club after over two years at the helm.
Lowe was replaced on an interim basis by his assistant Mike Marsh, who was appointed by the club to oversee matters until a permanent manager was found. Marsh lasted only two games, choosing to leave the club altogether after last weekend’s defeat against Swansea City.
If appointed, Heckingbottom would be the third man to take to the home dugout at Deepdale just three games into the 2024-25 season and would be tasked with kickstarting a disappointing campaign thus far. With Preston having had a quiet window and with key players such as Alan Browne leaving over the summer, he would have a job on his hands improving matters at a struggling club.
Preston are currently winless in the league this season, and find themselves in the Championship relegation zone after two games having failed to score yet. They did however taste victory in the Carabao Cup first round against Sunderland and will be hoping the new manager can replicate that result in their league form.
47-year-old Heckingbottom is a familiar name to many Championship supporters, and carries strong pedigree with him. He has managed a number of EFL clubs in his managerial career, most recently Sheffield United. Heckingbottom was a success at Bramall Lane, winning promotion to the Premier League with the Blades, and Preston fans will be hoping he can help stabilise the club and drive them up the table before achieving similar success.
Writer’s View
Heckingbottom has been amongst the favourites for this job all along, so this isn’t a surprise. That doesn’t diminish how much of a good appointment this is though. Heckingbottom has experience of teams struggling with limited squads and funds, but also has spent plenty of time towards the top of the table when achieving promotion with Sheffield United. While it’s unlikely Preston will be towards the top end of the table for the time being, Heckingbottom could be the man to get them there. His first job, though, is getting them away from the bottom of the table, and he looks like the man for that task.
Be the first to comment