Preston North End has had a troubling start to their Championship season. They began with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Sheffield United, which resulted in Ryan Lowe being dismissed after two and a half years in charge.
Mike Marsh then stepped in as interim manager, leading the team to a 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Sunderland and a 3-0 league defeat to Swansea City before resigning from the position.
Preston eventually appointed Paul Heckingbottom as Lowe’s replacement, citing his extensive EFL experience. Heckingbottom started his managerial career at Barnsley, where he secured promotion from League One via the play-offs, and later achieved promotion from the Championship with Sheffield United.
Despite a few lackluster spells at Leeds United and Hibs, his solid track record in the EFL makes him a promising choice for Preston, as his Championship experience should bring some much-needed stability to the club.
EFL pundits offer Heckingbottom verdict
As usual, Matt Davies-Adams joined Adrian Clarke and Sam Parkin for another episode of the “What The EFL” podcast this week to discuss the latest happenings in the EFL. This episode focused on Preston North End and the appointment of Paul Heckingbottom.
Former EFL striker and current pundit Sam Parkin supported the decision to appoint Heckingbottom, viewing it as a safe choice.
“I think it’s a good match. There are probably two perspectives here. They were reportedly considering some exciting prospects from lower leagues—managers who have recently found success and are relatively new to the game.”
“Paul Heckingbottom brings a bit more experience. He’s inheriting a team that might lack excitement and creativity, but his strength lies in organizing a team.”
“As a defensively-minded player, he’ll take over a squad that is good at keeping clean sheets, so in the short term, it seems like a sensible choice.”
“Whether it will excite Preston fans and fulfill their desire for better football remains to be seen, but given the available options, I think it makes sense, and he deserves another chance.”
Fellow pundit Adrian Clarke also shared his thoughts on the podcast, agreeing with Parkin on Heckingbottom’s appointment.
“I agree with Sam; he’s the most logical choice among the candidates. I think he’ll be pleased to have this job and eager to see what he can accomplish.”
“Although he had better players at Sheffield United, I recall watching his team play some good football. He got the best out of those players, with some lovely interchanging one and two-touch play, and he always demands hard work from his players.”
| Paul Heckingbottom’s managerial career so far | |
|---|---|
| Club | Years |
| Barnsley (Caretaker) | 2015 |
| Barnsley | 2016-2018 |
| Leeds United | 2018 |
| Hibernian | 2019 |
| Sheffield United (Interim) | 2021 |
| Sheffield United | 2021-2023 |
| Preston North End | 2024- |
“I think he’ll do a solid job, but I don’t see this team making it into the play-offs. Realistically, they should be aiming for a mid-table finish, which isn’t likely to thrill the PNE supporters, but they probably understand that themselves.”
“In the short term, their focus should be on staying clear of the relegation battle. He got Barnsley promoted, he got Sheffield United promoted, so he’s a good manager, and I think Preston should be pleased to have him.”
Preston now have a huge season ahead of them
Given Preston’s disappointing start to the Championship season, this appointment needed to be spot-on to prevent the club from heading down a precarious path.
Instead of taking a chance on a young, up-and-coming manager, the club has clearly opted for someone with solid EFL experience, which could be advantageous both in the short and long term.
Preston knows what to expect from Heckingbottom, which adds some pressure, but he also has the capability to bring much-needed stability to the club. While no one is expecting the Lilywhites to secure promotion this season, the fans at least hope to see entertaining football and for the team to be competitive against the Championship’s top sides.
Heckingbottom’s first match in charge will be at home against Luton Town, who have also had a shaky start to the season. It’s crucial for the Deepdale crowd to fully support their team and the new manager on the sidelines.
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