Preston North End have confirmed Ryan Lowe has left the club by mutual consent just one match into the new Championship season.
Lowe has been manager of the club ever since December 2021, having previously been in charge of Plymouth.
Preston were poor on Friday, losing 2-0 to Sheffield United after goals from Ollie Arblaster and Gustavo Hamer.
And they’ve now confirmed the departure of Lowe, with the Championship side set to start their hunt for a new manager.
Championship boss Ryan Lowe has left Preston North End following Friday’s defeat to Sheffield United
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Chairman Peter Ridsdale said: “Preston North End can confirm that manager Ryan Lowe has left the club by mutual consent.
“Ryan joined the club in December 2021, leading us to 13th, 12th and 10th-placed finishes in his two and a half seasons as the club’s first team manager.
“Following discussions that took place on Sunday 11th August, it was mutually agreed that now was an appropriate time for a change to be made.
“Ryan leaves with the thanks of everyone at the club for his hard work, dedication and commitment, and we wish him and his family the very best for the future.
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“For the two upcoming fixtures against Sunderland and Swansea City this week, Mike Marsh – accompanied by Peter Murphy and Ched Evans – will be in charge of the team.
“Arrangements beyond these two fixtures will be announced next week.”
Fans on X have reacted to the departure.
“1 game into the season f*****g sound planning lads. Can we actually get behind the next manager?” were the words of one user.
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“Just shows how poorly we are run as a club, why wait until the season starts to do this?” fumed another.
“Wow. Didn’t expect to see that this morning. Should have been done at the end of last season really though,” opined a third fan.
A fourth said: “Not saying I agree or disagree but what was the point of giving him one game this season?”
And a fifth said: “Silly that they entered the new season as must have already felt this way from past season.”
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Preston were beaten by Sheffield United in their Championship opener on Friday night
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Speaking after Preston’s defeat on Friday, Lowe said: “I thought we were alright and well in the game, before their goal. It was a shot which ricocheted in.
“After that, I thought we were OK – we got in at half time and discussed how we can get the centre-backs, fours and tens higher.
“We didn’t do enough at the top end of the pitch, in the first half. Second half, we changed one or two things and came out of the blocks a little bit faster.
“I thought we had real impetus and were on top.”
More to follow.