In a surprising turn of events, Ryan Lowe has left his position as the manager of Preston North End just one game into the new Championship season. The club announced his departure on Monday morning, following a disappointing start to the season that saw Preston suffer a 2-0 defeat at home to Sheffield United on Friday night. This match marked the first managerial casualty of the new English football campaign.
Lowe’s tenure at Preston North End, which began in December 2021, was cut short after only a single game of the 2024-25 season. Despite guiding the team to incremental improvements in his early seasons—finishing 13th, 12th, and 10th in successive years—Lowe’s position had become increasingly precarious. The defeat to Sheffield United was the latest blow in a series of poor results that had begun to sour his relationship with the fans.
During his time at Preston, Lowe had managed to secure a spot in the playoff contention last season, but a critical home loss to Norwich City and a run of games without scoring left the team in a difficult position. The club’s form had deteriorated sharply, culminating in a streak of six consecutive defeats with no goals scored. This downturn in performance clearly did not sit well with the Preston faithful, who made their discontent known by booing Lowe off the pitch following the Sheffield United game.
Lowe, a 45-year-old Liverpudlian, had previously enjoyed success at Plymouth Argyle before his move to Deepdale. His tenure at Preston began with a promising outlook, but the recent struggles and fan unrest led to what was described as a mutual agreement for his departure. In a statement, Lowe acknowledged that he felt he had taken the club as far as he could and believed it was time for a new direction.
The club’s official statement expressed gratitude for Lowe’s hard work and dedication during his time at Preston. They noted his significant contributions, including leading the team to a respectable mid-table finish each season, but conceded that a change was necessary at this juncture. Lowe will be replaced on an interim basis by his assistant Mike Marsh, along with Peter Murphy and Ched Evans, who will oversee the team’s upcoming fixtures against Sunderland and Swansea City.
As Preston North End moves forward, the search for a permanent replacement will be underway, with the club hoping to stabilize and improve their fortunes after a rocky start to the season. For now, the focus will be on the upcoming games and ensuring a smooth transition in leadership.
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