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Fans have their say after Preston draw up three-man shortlist as Heckingbottom’s replacement

Fans on social media have their say after Preston North End draw up a three-man shortlist as Paul Heckingbottom’s replacement.

According to talkSPORT, Preston have reduced their longlist of 50 names, to just three, consisting of Walsall boss Lee Grant, Robbie Keane and Bradford’s Graham Alexander.

The report added that while other free agents in the manager market include Scott Parker, Sean Dyche and Steven Gerrard. are other free agents in the market they aren’t in contention to take over.

Alan Nixon meanwhile claimed Tom Cleverley and Leighton Baines were also looked at.

Preston fans call for Paul Heckingbottom to be sacked after defeat to Lincoln

Jason Euell meanwhile is the man in interim charge for the time being, he told the club’s media last week: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and it’s an opportunity that’s been given to me. The focus is on me now because I have been put in charge, but the focus is also on the players.

“That’s where I want the focus to be, as well as the game on Saturday. All eyes are on me as the man at the front, but I’ve got no issue with that. I’ve got big shoulders and it’s not as if I haven’t led a team before.

“Yes, it’s at a different level or a different stage, but in terms of the players, that’s where the focus is. I want the players to try and be in the best mental, physical state to get a good performance and a result come the weekend.

“Regardless of how long this may be or the title that I’ve been given, it’s getting the opportunity and being able to do the best with that opportunity. I’m excited about it. I’m saying to the boys about looking to enjoy the weekend, being excited about the weekend in a way of putting things right.”

Before the game against QPR, he spoke of it being a tough division, expected it to be a difficult fixture and just wanted his side to keep focused on coming away with a positive outcome.

The Lilywhites ended up bottling a 2-0 lead, and drew 2-2 with QPR, Euell said after the match, as per the club website: “I’m disappointed. I’ve got mixed emotions, knowing that we had ourselves in a great position to come away with something more than a point, and not being able to do that.

“With the circumstance of playing against ten men for large periods of time, and us not being the ones who managed the game, that’s disappointing. They managed the game a lot better than we did.

“I’m frustrated for myself, the players, and definitely the fans, being in the position where we were, and that’s something we’re going to have to change.”

A message for the fans: “We want to send people home happy. That’s what the fans look forward to at the end of their week, when the boys get a result and send everyone home happy.

“Especially for those who have travelled down to London today, we’d have liked to have taken all three points. It’s disappointing that we weren’t able to get that result in the end.”

On being linked to the Preston job, Bradford’s Graham Alexander said, as per Vavel: “I am not on social media so I have not seen anything first hand,” the Bradford boss said, responding to the rumours in his pre-match press conference today.

“It is not the first time I have been linked with Preston North End given my relationship with the football club.

“Speculation is a good thing because it means I have a good team and we are winning games.

“It highlights everyone here and any speculation for anyone shows our sustained success.

“I am at peace with football management, I only focus on the next game.

“I never think about being sacked if we are struggling, I also do not look at what might be next, I just focus on winning on Saturday.”

Fans have their say after Preston draw up three-man shortlist as Heckingbottom’s replacement…

@RobertBell1993: Would love Robbie Keane but knowing us it’ll be Alexander or some other lower league manager.

@PR4PNE: Been a good run lads #pnefc

@RibchesterJosh: Rather have Hugh Grant #pnefc #htafc

@fanpne: Out of these the choice is clear as day to me. And it’s Alexander. Don’t know why Grant is in the discussion. Keane has only managed the biggest clubs in the two foreign leagues he’s managed. #pnefc

@phil1pne: Alexander, how many other clubs have said he plays good to watch football? Alexander is a club legend as a player he comes as manager and once results go against him he will lose the legend status very quickly. It’s a no from me

@BluebirdJonny: But… but…. but…. what happened to Steve Cooper 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

@AnthonyWareing: Lee Grant??? I asked #pnefc to think outside the box. I didn’t expect them to completely abandon the concept of a box.

@paulyoungy84: Any of these 3 and my season ticket gets thrown in the bin

@jimshuttle: If we go anywhere near Lee Grant I’ll hurl #pnefc

@kimramshead: The Robbie keane as manager rumours id be happy with that! Successfully managed 2 teams abroad took them to Europe! #pnefc

@davidpne: Mentioned Keane a few days ago… High profile, great contacts and an excellent managerial track record so he ticks the boxes. I’d hope for a brand of entertaining football as Keane was a quality striker. Might inspire our forwards too and that would be amazing! 🤍🍀💚 #pnefc

@WardyPne: The obvious issue with Robbie Keane is he has no experience managing in England, but he has success at his 2 permanent jobs abroad. Did well in europe as well. He was linked with bigger jobs than ours in the summer so ‘IF’ he did come here it would be a big coup imo. #pnefc

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