Struggling Preston North End sack Heckingbottom

What the report says

Preston North End have dismissed head coach Paul Heckingbottom after a run of poor results left the club second bottom of the Championship, BBC Sport Football reported. The decision came after six defeats in seven league matches, with the latest setback a 1-0 home loss to Lincoln City at Deepdale on Saturday.

Heckingbottom, appointed in August 2024, took charge of 109 matches for Preston. According to the club, he won five of his 27 league games since the start of January. The statement released by Preston said the team’s results during 2026 and the opening part of the current campaign had not met expectations, despite what it described as significant investment in the squad.

The club also said assistant Stuart McCall has left his role. Coach Jason Euell will take interim charge as Preston prepare to travel to QPR on Saturday before the international break. The BBC report noted that the defeat to Lincoln was met with boos and jeers from supporters at the final whistle.

More broadly, the move reflects the pressure faced by managers in the Championship when results dip over a short period. Preston now have to stabilise quickly if they are to move away from the relegation places and reset their season.