Top six favourites to become new Preston manager with sacking confirmed

The top six favourites to become new Preston North End manager has been revealed with the sacking of Alex Neil now confirmed.

The former Norwich City boss took charge in July 2017, coming in to replace Simon Grayson who had left for Sunderland.

Last season they finished ninth and now the 39 year old leaves the Lilywhites in 16th place, nine points clear of the relegation zone in the Championship table. Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat by Luton was his last game in charge.

📝 Club Statement: Alex Neil

Preston North End Football Club can confirm that it has today parted with the services of its Manager, Alex Neil.

➡️ https://t.co/DdQ1hMeOdB#pnefc pic.twitter.com/k7eNzoNpxf

— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) March 21, 2021

CLUB STATEMENT:

Preston North End Football Club can confirm that it has today parted with the services of its Manager, Alex Neil.

Alex joined the club in the summer of 2017 and he leaves us with our thanks and very best wishes for the future.

It is the intention that Frankie McAvoy will take up the position of interim Head Coach and work with Steve Thompson, Mike Pollitt and Paul Gallagher in taking the team for the remaining eight games of the season.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

6) DANIEL STENDEL

Former Barnsley and Hearts chief Daniel Stendel, who came to blows with then-Fleetwood manager Joey Barton a while back, was an early frontrunner and the current favourite for the Pompey job with the bookmakers, however that vacacy went to Danny Cowley as Stendel wanted a deal longer than just to the end of the 2020/21 season.

Stendel is highly regarded following his time at Oakwell after leading them to promotion in 2018-19, before then getting harshly sacked.

The Tykes finished in second place behind Luton Town, but after struggling in the Championship, he was controversially dismissed in October 2019, and anger turned on those at the top of the club.

Having managed at Hearts since then, Stendel is presently a free agent and would welcome a return to England.

However, there is interest in him from clubs based in France, and is reportedly reluctant to accept a deal until the end of the Blues’ current campaign, wanting a longer deal.

BetVictor odds: 10/1

5) EDDIE HOWE

Eddie Howe has been linked with many clubs for the manager’s position for however long he stays unemployed.

The 42-year-old guided the Cherries to more than 450 games across two spells spanning more than a decade but stepped down this summer following the club’s relegation to the Championship.

Their five-year stay in the top flight ended despite a 3-1 win at Everton on the final day of the season.

Howe also made more than 300 appearances as a player in the famous red and black stripes.

Howe was initially appointed AFC Bournemouth caretaker manager in December 2008, with the club sitting on -17 points at the bottom of the Football League.

Against all the odds he secured their safety and followed it with promotion from League Two the following season.

After a brief spell in charge of Burnley, a masterstroke from owner Maxim Demin bought Howe back to Dorset, and he then proceeded to achieve two further promotions in three seasons, leading the Cherries to the Premier League, where they remained for five years.

BetVictor odds: 10/1

4) DEREK MCINNES

Derek McInnes was recently named as a surprise new contender for the Sheffield United manager’s job.

The 49-year-old manager departed Pittodrie after eight years at the helm, however, now finds himself on a list of managers being considered to take charge of the soon to be relegated Premier League club.

McInnes, who had a two-year spell at Bristol City after his arrival from St Johnstone in 2011, hasn’t even been out of work for a week, but is likely to be interested in a quick return to the dug-out.

The Manager and his assistant, Tony Docherty, will leave the Club with immediate effect.

AFC Chairman, Dave Cormack, said: “During his time in charge Derek raised the bar and delivered a level of consistency not seen at the Club for many years, qualifying for Europe each season, and delivering a memorable Scottish League Cup win at Celtic Park in season 2013/14 with 43,000 Dons fans in attendance.

“Clearly, results since the turn of the year have been disappointing and frustrating for everyone. Derek and I reviewed where we were and agreed that this was the right time for him to step down. The Club now has the opportunity to appoint a new manager ahead of the new season where, with a number of players out of contract, we have work to do to build a competitive squad.

“Derek and Tony leave with our thanks and gratitude for what they have achieved during their tenure. We wish them well for the future.”

MCINNES MANAGERIAL RECORD:

St Johnstone – 27 November 2007 until 19 October 2011 – 177 games, 71 wins, 53 draws, 53 defeats, 40.11 win %
Bristol City – 19 October 2011 until 12 January 2013 – 63 games, 17 wins, 14 draws, 32 defeats, 26.98 win %
Aberdeen – 7 April 2013 until 8 March 2021 – 378 games, 202 wins, 75 draws, 101 defeats, 53.44 win %
Total – 618 games, 290 wins, 142 draws, 186 defeats, 46.93 win %

BetVictor odds: 8/1

3) NEIL LENNON

Lennon was most recently the manager of Scottish Premiership club Celtic.

During his playing career he represented the likes of Manchester City, Crewe Alexandra and Leicester City. Lennon moved to Celtic in 2000, where he made over 200 appearances and was appointed captain in 2005. Before retiring as a player, he returned to England and played for Nottingham Forest and Wycombe Wanderers. Lennon made 40 appearances for Northern Ireland in nine years, scoring two goals.

Lennon was appointed manager of Celtic in March 2010, initially in a caretaker capacity, after the departure of Tony Mowbray. Lennon had a great first spell of success as Celtic boss, winning three Scottish league championships, two Scottish Cups, qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League twice and the knockout stages once, before leaving the club in May 2014. After an unsuccessful spell with Bolton Wanderers, where the club suffered financial problems, Lennon went back to Scottish football in 2016 with Hibernian. He led them to a promotion in his first season as head coach, and European qualification in his second season, before leaving Hibernian in January 2019.

Lennon returned to Celtic in February 2019, initially on an interim basis for the rest of the 2018–19 season, and guided them to the league and Scottish Cup titles. His contract was renewed and he led Celtic to the Scottish league title again in 2019–20. He also led the team to a fourth consecutive domestic treble by also winning the League Cup and the Scottish Cup that season. Lennon left Celtic in February 2021, as the club had fallen far behind Rangers in the 2020–21 Scottish Premiership.

LENNON’S MANAGERIAL STATS:

Celtic – 25 March 2010 until 22 May 2014 – 227 games, 159 wins, 29 draws, 39 defeats, 70.04 win %
Bolton Wanderers – 12 October 2014 until 15 March 2016 – 79 games, 18 wins, 26 draws, 35 defeats, 22.78 win %
Hibernian – 8 June 2016 until 30 January 2019 – 123 games, 59 wins, 40 draws, 24 defeats, 47.97 win %
Celtic – 26 February 2019 until 24 February 2021 – 110 games, 77 wins, 17 draws, 16 defeats 70.00 win %
Total – 539 games, 313 wins, 112 draws, 114 defeats, 58.07 win %

BetVictor odds: 8/1

2) FRANKIE MCAVOY

Frankie McAvoy joined the Lilywhites staff in the summer of 2017, shortly after Alex Neil was appointed.

Frankie worked with him at both Hamilton and Norwich where he was a part of the successes the clubs enjoyed. He won promotion to the Scottish Premiership through a playoff final with Hamilton and again won a playoff as Norwich won promotion to the Premier League.

After being an academy coach, the Scot worked his way up the coaching structure at the Accies to first team coach, with a time as academy director. He spent a decade at the club before moving south of the border to the Canaries.

Two further years followed at Carrow Road before leaving alongside Alex Neil, who he joined at Preston. He described joining them as a ‘no-brainer’ and that he had to come to be a part of what was a new chapter for the club.

BetVictor odds: 5/1

1) NEIL HARRIS

Neil Harris was most recently sacked by Cardiff City having suffered six straight losses in the Championship.

The 43-year-old went into management with former club Millwall – who he is the all time record goalscorer for – after having several stints as caretaker manager.

In his first full season as manager, he led Millwall to the League One Playoff Final against Barnsley at Wembley after finishing 4th in the League One table and overcoming Bradford City 4–2 on aggregate in the semi-finals. The Lions lost the playoff final 3–1 to Barnsley.

He did guide the club to promotion to the Championship, again via the playoffs for the 2016/17 season. He also took the club to the FA Cup quarter finals that season. He then resigned in October 2019.

He linked up with Cardiff in November 2019, managing the Bluebirds for 62 games before his sacking and replacement by Mick McCarthy.

BetVictor odds: 5/1

Fans reacted as the top six favourites to become new Preston manager with the sacking now confirmed…

@PNEFansForum: A sad but not bitter end. Thanks for everything Neil. Had some good runs and at times thought you were the one to het us there but tomes change amd we move. All the best. #pnefc

@Tadders83: Shame it has come to this, the guy has done a good job until last 12 months or so and shown loyalty when other clubs came calling. Genuinely think he needs to take a proper break from the game. The problems at the club run deeper than the manager unfortunately

@jackdantucker_: Thank you for everything Alex 💙 wish you all the best in the future, go smash your next job 💙

@Conpne03: Thanks for everything Alex but this needed to happen. You had every right to be a superb manager for us but you brought this on yourself. Nevertheless good luck in the future 👍 also can you taken Ridsdale with you?

@HarropRoIe: Cheers for everything Alex

@Martin_Ryan23: All the best Alex, I have no doubt he’ll do well in his next job but it was the right decision.

@iampav: Sadly the right move for both parties. Good luck to him but Preston need to secure enough wins to stay up and rebuild in the summer. Massive year ahead.

@M_J_Hurst: All the best Alex, cant question his commitment! The board at this club is a joke, he will end up doing better somewere else were they back him and keep there best players

@CathOwst: Sad but inevitable , been in a spiral of decline for 18 months now. Fabulous first two years and wish AN all the best. There are others at the club who also carry responsibility #pnefc

@mj2809: Our fans better be careful what they wish for, sack the manager and put some nobody in charge till end of the season, should of waited till summer and then made a decision as we was never going down with Neil but now I really fear we could, look at Ipswich and many others #pnefc

@shaunpne: Wish him all the best, genuinely thought he was the man to do the impossible

@mbalshaw17: We had a chance to push on for promotion but with little investment is was inevitable that we would fall short. Now selling our best players in January, we expected this to happen. However it needs to be clear who makes the signings? Was it Riddler or Neil? #pnefc

@Adam_GSmith: Right decision for me. We have been pretty dire since Feb 2020 where we were sat in playoff positions. I would have preferred them to appoint someone ready to assess the squad before the big rebuild job in the summer #pnefc

@Janinepne: Thanks for everything Alex you deserve better, good luck in your next job.

@JPnefc: Good luck in the future Alex, please make sure he’s ok lads x

@kylefleminggg: Cheers gaffer, good luck where you end up next

@itsgeofflinton: It’s the right decision overall. But Neil has been put out to dry by those above him. About time the board backed a manager properly instead of expecting him to work wonders with league 1 players. Good luck in your next role (as long as it ain’t with the lashers/dingles!)