Preston sack manager Paul Heckingbottom after woeful start to Championship season sees them in relegation zone

PRESTON North End have parted ways with boss Paul Heckingbottom. The Championship side lost 1-0 to Lincoln City on Saturday, making it six defeats in seven games. Preston North End have parted ways with boss Paul Heckingbottom Credit: Getty Heckingbottom will abandon Deepdale second-bottom in the table Credit: Getty Heckingbottom – the first Championship sacking – will abandon Deepdale after their woeful start left them second-bottom in the table. The club statement read: “Preston North End Football Club have today taken the decision to part company with Paul Heckingbottom as First Team Football Manager. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! “Football is a results business and despite significant investment in the playing squad since Paul joined, the results during 2026 and the start of this current campaign have not been acceptable.” “Paul leaves us with our thanks and best wishes. His professionalism and work ethic during his time with us have been second to none. “As a result of this decision Stuart McCall has also left the Club today. “We similarly thank Stuart for his contribution over the last two years and wish him all the best for the future. “We will now look to appoint a new manager as soon as possible but until such time as we do Jason Euell will take charge of first team matters on an interim basis.” They have picked up three points from what would be a perfect 21, beating Blackburn but losing to Bolton, Wolves, Charlton, Bristol City, Watford and Lincoln. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Heckingbottom, who led North End through 109 competitive matches, leaves with a 27.4 per cent win rate – 30 wins, 38 draws, and 41 losses. Since the start of the year, they have lost 19 of their 32 games – drawing six. But it was Lincoln’s victory that rubberstamped Heckingbottom’s P45. Speaking to the BBC after the 1-0 defeat on Saturday, the sacked head coach said: “It was no surprise in terms of how difficult that game was and the pattern of the game. “We are really frustrated that 90 per cent of the time their threats, because we limited the number of corners and set-plays, we did deal with them.” The 49-year-old was handed the reins of the Lancashire outfit in August 2024. North End got off to a decent start but it dwindled as they were dragged into a relegation battle. It was not until the final day, that the Lilywhites secured safety. On Saturday, North End will travel to QPR before an extended international break Credit: Getty Since the start of the year, they have lost 19 of their 32 games – drawing six Credit: Getty The first half of the following season got fans cheering as they saw their once struggling side three points from automatic promotion – with 20 games to go. But the latter half of the campaign tanked and they finished 14th on 60 points. Heckingbottom’s predecessor, Ryan Lowe, was asked to leave after just one game of the Championship season. On Saturday, North End will travel to QPR before an extended international break. They are then set to host Millwall on October 10. Comment now