Preston North End have had an awful start to the season, and Heckingbottom has paid the price

What went wrong

It cannot be understated how poor Preston's start to the season has been, it's been a shambles. When you go on a run of form this bad you just haven't got a chance of keeping your job in management, and now that time has come for Paul Heckingbottom.

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… pic.twitter.com/j3BG4HzAMc

— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) September 13, 2026

I think personally that the football became stale at Deepdale over the past eight months, and this season the team just hasn't had an identity whatsoever. After the brilliant start to the 2025/26 season Hecky just hasn't been able to get a tune out of the squad and there is many reasons you could put this down to.

When you've got teams around you improving all the time, that prospect of relegation starts to loom over you and it's been creeping up on PNE for a while now.

Even after spending around £15 million pounds this summer which feels like an extortianate amount for a club of North End's stature, the team doesn't really feel like it has improved.

It feels like most of the signings were just square pegs in round holes and the club failed to address the gaping issue in defence, with no centre backs being brought in. As I mentioned previously, a lack of identity.

In my opinion, it was the right decison as the club was only going in one direction at this moment in time, and that was relegation.

Yeah its about time, thanks for your time hecky. lets get behind the new gaffer and get this season going #pnefc https://t.co/F0kbjm8pdG

— Lee (@_leecarmichael) September 13, 2026

Why it was the right decision

Last season seemed so promising that you might wonder how it's even got to this point?

Since the start of January, Hecky took charge of 27 league games and won just five of them. I think it's clear to see now.

The 49 year old manager spent just over two years at Deepdale and had a fairly up and down spell with the club.

In the 24/25 season, PNE scraped survival by the skin of their teeth and this seemed like a real let off and would be a serious warning sign for the club.

Most supporters gave Hecky the benefit of the doubt though, with him not really being able to make the squad his own having not had a pre season or a transfer window at the club.

Last season, PNE were sat fifth at Christmas and it genuinely felt like this year felt different from previous and it felt as if the club could finally make that next step.

You already know how it goes after that, and Hecky just could not find a way to stop the rut.

I do think it was a sensible decision to let him go as it was just going one way and I think he would've taken the club down.

Look, maybe another manager won't be able to achieve anything with this squad either, but I do think it's worth taking that risk instead of just waiting around until January.

What next for PNE?

The next issue you come to is the lack of managers available at the moment. Director, Peter Ridsdale will definitely be making phone calls and will have a shortlist in mind with a few names being floated around recently.

Karel Geraerts (FA)
Alexander Blessin (FA)
Rob Edwards (FA)
Dave Challinor (FA)
Brian Barry-Murphy (CARDIFF)
Travis Binnion (MAN UTD)
Ian Woan (FA)
Graham Alexander (BRADFORD)

Anyone? BBM deffo wouldnt happen, mind.#pnefc

— PNE Fans Forum (@PNEFansForum) September 13, 2026

Rob Edwards and Carlos Corberan are two managers currently without a job and are probably rather ambitious targets at this moment in time, but I do think the former Wolves coach would be my preferred option.

I just think looking at Edwards' style of play, it would suit North End and I look back to his promotion winning Luton Town team and see many similarities. One issue that would be posed is that he hasn't lasted particularly long with his previous clubs, so if you're looking for a long term project he might not be the one to go for.

Another couple of names to keep an eye on would be former PNE player Graham Alexander, and former Spurs striker Robbie Keane. Alexander was always going to be one that was mentioned with his connections to the club and the way his Bradford team is set up, but I don't think appointing him would change much.

Robbie Keane reportedly a ‘live contender’ for the manager vacancy.

What do we reckon, #pnefc fans?https://t.co/5ZaKS1hKTk

— Preston North End Post (@PNEFCPost) September 17, 2026

Keane could be an interesting one because it could be a complete change from what we've previously seen at Deepdale, but his lack of experience in English football could be something to consider.

My personal favourite would be Rob Edwards, but I do think that it seems unrealistic at the moment and would be a really difficult one to pull off due to his demands.

PNE now need to be careful and not rush into any decisions, especially given that there's a three week international break on the horizon, giving the club time to make a competent decision.