Paul Heckingbottom gives his first sit down interview on becoming new manager of Preston North End after Ryan Lowe’s departure.
Hecky, 47, guided Sheffield United to the Premier League in 2023, only to be sacked back in December with the club bottom of the table.
Ex-Man City elite development squad coach Brian Barry-Murphy has also been linked with the role at Preston, with a number of other candidates were being considered, but Heckingbottom was a top target.
Ryan Lowe left on the 12th of August after lost their opening Championship match 2-0 at home to Sheffield United. See more on that HERE.
Lowe came in from Plymouth in December 2021, and guided the club to 13th, 12th, and 10th place finishes in the second tier, but felt it was time to go after holding talks with the club’s board.
Interim manager Mike Marsh said he didn’t want the job permanently, so then left after a 2-0 win over Sunderland in the Carabao Cup before a 3-0 defeat at Swansea in the Championship at the weekend.
Welcome to PNE, Paul Heckingbottom. 🤝#pnefc pic.twitter.com/MwP8JgkRlN
— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) August 20, 2024
Introducing our new gaffer. 💙#pnefc
— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) August 20, 2024
CLUB STATEMENT:
Preston North End are delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Heckingbottom as the club’s new first team manager.
The 47-year-old arrives with experience of two promotions as a manager, including in the 2022/23 season when he took Sheffield United to the Premier League.
Heckingbottom, who has managed in the top three divisions of English football, will be joined at North End by assistant Stuart McCall.
Speaking after his appointment, Paul said: “I’m really delighted with it, ready to go, and champing at the bit really. It’s a club I know well for lots of reasons and a league I know well, so it was a pretty easy decision.
“Experience is key. Knowing the players helps, and then having success in this league helps, so we know what it takes to compete. We know what it takes to do well and you can give that clear direction to try and get there, and that’s the aim.
“The short-term goals are to get back on track. Longer term, we want to be a really, really competitive team in this league.
Following an extensive playing career, which included spells with Darlington, Bradford City and Sheffield Wednesday, Heckingbottom’s first coaching role came with Barnsley.
He led the Tykes to success in the EFL Trophy and the League One Play-Offs, and brought both Liam Lindsay and Brad Potts to the club once in the Championship.
Heckingbottom went on to take charge of Leeds United and Hibernian, before enjoying huge success with Sheffield United, taking the Blades to an FA Cup semi-final and leading them to the top flight with a tally of 91 points.
PNE Director, Peter Ridsdale added: “I’m delighted that Paul Heckingbottom has joined us as first team manager.
“We identified that we wanted Paul to be the man to take us forward and moved swiftly over the weekend. We met on Sunday, finalised the details late last night and he’s here with us today, ready to get to work.
“I’m now looking forward with confidence with Paul and Stuart McCall in charge, and I think all Preston North End fans can be really excited about the season ahead.”
The manager will be in attendance at Tuesday’s Central League fixture against Derby County and will take charge of the first team on Saturday against Luton Town.
Here’s how fans reacted as Paul Heckingbottom gives his first sit down interview on becoming new Preston manager…
@albalders39: Finally we will get a “brand” welcome Paul
@iampav: Class. Strikes a great tone about mentality and effort. It’s the minimum the fans demand. 👏 Welcome Paul Heckingbottom!
@thejdtucker: Welcome to Preston North End, Paul and Stuart 💙
@antonyrob79: welcome Paul & Stuart, good luck
@ToddySUFC: Good appointment, good luck to him and macca 🫡⚔️
@Conpne03: Welcome Paul. Got a job on your hands.
@Almahon2062: “We’re talking mentality”, great to hear. Welcome Paul⚽️
@pne_ste: Welcome Paul, good luck in the new role!
@CasualsNorthern: At last a proper manager who fans can relate to. Let’s get behind him
@harry9072400: Class
@kevhpne: Excellent appointments. Welcome to Preston Paul and Stuart.
@CharlieM1tch: Good luck Paul
@sam24crimfooty: Welcome Paul and Stuart, time to get stuck in lads 💙
@JSGCFootball: Welcome Paul and best of luck! 💙
@Jamergamer0: I’m all for this appointment personally. I believe it won’t be the most exciting football we will play under him but he can bring stability to the Side and begin to stabilise the pile of crap we are atm and definitely get mid table or higher.
@Robp220: Good luck Hecky. Good person and good coach who was dealt a shit hand in his final 6 months at BL
@Firthy_6: Great appointment, great coach wish him all the best
@louise_pne: Welcome to Preston North End! Looking forward to the journey 💙🤍
@jimshuttle: Welcome to the club, Paul. If you’re less of a bullshitter than the last bloke, you’ll be accepted with open arms 🤍
@JIMSKEE1: Fantastic, him saying he doesn’t want to be bored, speaks volumes. Get a grip of the players, Paul. It’s a decent squad, maybe needs a few additions. Go get em
@WLBennett: Excellent appointment, wishing him every success. A few tweaks needed to balance the squad, more pace and better defensive options, midfield and forward line he’s more than enough to compete and be competitive at the upper end of the division. #pnefc
@TopLeaf9: Love the dig at lowe about fans connecting 😂👍🏻
@BcPnefc: Brilliant appointment. Welcome to the club, Paul🤝
@Blades_Mad: All the best, Hecky!
@Furbs33: All the best Hecky and Stuart McCaaaaaalll. Didn’t get the praise they deserved at the Lane. Hope you do well, apart from when you play us.
@a_daggers11: All the best Paul
@Oscar_Dray: Welcome to Preston Paul. Please don’t take any pages out of Lowe’s book. Looking forward to seeing how you’ll do for us
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