Connect with us

Championship

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

Preston North End fans call for Paul Heckingbottom to be sacked after a 1-0 defeat to Lincoln City to leave the Lilywhites second from bottom.

Freddie Draper broke the deadlock on the 80th minute to see the Imps climb up to 16th in the Championship standings and, handing Preston a sixth defeat out of their opening eight league games.

Chants of “We want Hecky out! and “Getting sacked in the morning” were heard following the final whistle as he made his way slowly onto the pitch.

Meanwhile in the Lincoln end…

Preston’s Paul Heckingbottom said, as per Sky Sports:

“We’re really frustrated. While we’re not in front, they’re going to have their counter-attacks, opportunities and set plays and 90 per cent of the time we dealt with it, but ultimately it was their biggest weapon.

“While we’re not getting in front, they’re going to have their opportunities – counter-attacks and set plays.

“There’s no lack of effort there. We had opportunities, but we didn’t force the big moments to go our way. But that’s something we have to put that right, the only way to stop that noise at the end of games is to win games.

“They defended their box really well and they were the ones who forced a scrappy goal in at the other end.

“I can’t be critical of the effort of the players, but we are missing that – what Lincoln did today – being the ones that force the ball in. The margins are so fine.”

Lincoln’s Tom Shaw:

“Our supporters want full throttle football and that’s what we’re trying to give them. We take lots of learning from the top teams and try and replicate our version of it.

“We’ve built this success over the last few years on the real ugly side of football, and we’re very proud of how we play.

“We’ve recruited, nurtured and developed a set of players that have got incredible character like I’ve never seen before in my time in the game. We pride ourselves on those horrible, ugly things.

“If you saw our training ground, it’s very competitive and we have a lot of 0-0 draws in training because the lads defend the cage so well, so we pride ourselves on that.

“All the other stuff will come over time and we will be threatening at this level. There were glimpses of that today and Freddie gets the goal he deserves.”

Less than 24 hours later, the sacking was confirmed.

The club said: “Preston North End Football Club have today taken the decision to part company with Paul Heckingbottom as First Team Football Manager.

“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.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Preston fans call for Paul Heckingbottom to be sacked after defeat to Lincoln…

@WhitehartMike: I don’t blame Hecky, but I am converted to seeing no alternative to his departure. Club has spent £20m on bang average League One players trying to make up for five years of underinvestment, and the sale of their only two Championship quality players. Need a miracle worker.

@NorthEnd1978: Zero accountability from him yet again. Still playing people out of position despite being happy with the squad and competition for every position. Gibbs starts despite doing nothing noteworthy Leroy benched and Moran never gets a chance.. Burgzorg and Erabi look awful so far.

@JamesWorden85: We couldn’t score again Lincoln. We played poorly against Lincoln. Players couldn’t be bothered to run against Lincoln. We weren’t playing West Ham. We’ve lost another relegation six-pointer against one of the worst teams in the division. It’s time to go.

@Darnz98: Outplayed at home by LINCOLN. 3 points from 21. If you want any kind of reaction at QPR you better make a change TONIGHT. Announcement NOW. Watch the fans turn on you all otherwise. Rotten to the core.

@lewisjjohnson7: Hecky out now. Had enough. It’s not working

@jaingham123: On Hecky’s reign too. If he stays the club goes down. Clear as day. Absolutely poor again, needs to leave asap

@D_PNEFC: Corner flag now

@acrpne: Not upgrading defence adequately; selling best forwards and not replacing goals in the team, only 2 strikers at the club and sticking with a manager on a 25% win ratio and Peter wondering why we are struggling… 😂 #pnefc

@mo55y86: This isn’t 7 games it’s been like this since january. Our good start has saved us last 2 seasons. Change needs to happen now otherwise we will be relegated by next January #pnefc

@PR4PNE: That Hughes for Mills sub is a fitting way for Heckingbottom’s tenure here to end. Sack him right now #pnefc

@davidpne: One of the worst decisions over the summer months was not bringing in a new commanding CB as it was obvious from last season that it was a priority. We’ve conceded so many soft goals with basic balls into the box it’s a joke. Today was a perfect example, sadly. #pnefc

@iampav: Time’s up for Hecky. A really poor result. The game was there for the taking. You can put results last term to bed if we had started turning a corner. We’re in freefall now. #pnefc

@hcurtpne: If heckys not sacked after today then oh my word. Worst manager i’ve had to endure in my lifetime, as far back as I can remember. Win to loss ratio is awful, can only feel sorry for anyone who has Heckingbottom next. #pnefc

@thenorthend11: Very crucial part of the football clubs future now. Need to go for a European manager. This cycle has gone on long enough #pnefc

@mralexbarker: Control the game. Make subs. Change shape for no reason. Concede goal. Lose the game. Repeat = The Hecky way. Time to go #pnefc

@PNEChatter: Who takes mills off for Hughes at 0-0? Why play him at wing back like I said countless times he would. Cried out for wingers and turned them into wing backs. #pnefc

@Original_Moldo: Underprepared, undercooked, unfit and tactically inept. It’s a long time since going on every game feeling uncompetitive but it’s been like that since January. He has to be sacked. Write off next Saturday and then any new manager has a month to sort out this shitshow. For clarity, after Lowe, I’ve liked Heckingbottom and I’ve wanted him to succeed. But, he’s been backed more than any other manager and is failing. He’s made us worse. The tactical changes are killing us. No manager would make them. Regardless of managerial change, arguably we’re going to be relegated. Let’s at least go down with a fight because under Heckingbottom we’re going down with a whimper and a record low points tally. #pnefc

@nycnorthenders: #pnefc problems are bigger than today. 2026 results have been nowhere near good enough, and today’s loss feels like another line crossed. This isn’t solely on Hecky, Players, recruitment, the club and ultimately everyone involved has to take responsibility @pnefc @BBCLancsSport

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Championship