The Lowe departure has sent shockwaves through the football world, as Preston North End has parted ways with their manager Ryan Lowe after just one match of the Championship season. The 45-year-old had been in charge at Deepdale since December 2021, but a 2-0 defeat at home to Sheffield United on Friday proved to be the final straw. Despite finishing in 13th, 12th, and 10th during his tenure, Lowe has departed after discussions with the club’s board on Sunday.
The Rise and Fall of Ryan Lowe at Preston North End
Ryan Lowe’s appointment as Preston North End manager in December 2021 was met with optimism. The Liverpool-born manager had won promotion with both Bury and Plymouth out of League Two, and Argyle were riding high in League One when he left to take up the challenge at Preston. He made an impressive start, leading the team to a 13th-place finish in the 2021-22 season. However, the following season was marked by a serious lack of goals, with North End managing just 45 across the season.
Despite this, Lowe’s stock remained high, and he was expected to build on the previous season’s finish. However, a brutal finish to the 2022-23 season saw them lose the last five matches, slipping down to 10th. The gap to the play-offs had grown from six points in 2022-23 to 10 last term, and it seemed that Lowe’s tenure was coming to an end.
A Quiet Summer in the Transfer Market
The summer transfer market was quiet for Preston North End, with just three players coming in – Iceland midfielder Stefan Teitur Thordarson and a pair of loans in Sam Greenwood and Kaine Kessler-Hayden. This lack of activity in the transfer market raised eyebrows, and it seemed that the club was not doing enough to strengthen the squad.
Despite this, Lowe remained optimistic, stating that he was happy with the squad and believed that they could make a push for the play-offs. However, the 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Friday proved to be the final straw, and Lowe’s departure was announced on Sunday.
A New Era for Preston North End
With Lowe’s departure, Preston North End is now looking for a new manager to take the reins. The club has announced that Mike Marsh, Lowe’s assistant, will take interim charge for the next two matches against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup and away to Swansea City on Saturday. The club will then announce arrangements for what happens after those games.
The big question now is, can the next man in the hot seat improve on back-to-back top-half finishes and take this famous old club back to the top flight for the first time since 1961? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the Lowe departure marks the end of an era at Preston North End.
The Reaction to Lowe’s Departure
The reaction to Lowe’s departure has been mixed, with some fans expressing disappointment and others relief. BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor Andy Bayes stated that it seemed that Lowe made the decision that he couldn’t take North End further following Friday night’s opening-day defeat by Sheffield United.
Bayes also noted that Lowe’s tenure at Deepdale had its ups and downs, without ever really being anywhere in the middle. He also criticized Lowe’s reluctance to move away from playing three centre-backs and some of his comments in the media, which perhaps didn’t help his relationship with the fans.
Despite this, Lowe has left the club on good terms, stating that he believes leaving was the best option. “I think now is the right time for the club to go in a different direction,” he said in a statement. “I’ve always stressed since I walked through the door that if I can’t take the club any further, I’d leave it to someone else and that’s what I’m doing.”
The Search for a New Manager
The search for a new manager is now underway, and the club will be looking for someone who can take the team to the next level. The new manager will have a tough task ahead of them, but with the right appointment, Preston North End could be back in the top flight sooner rather than later.
One thing is certain – the Lowe departure marks the end of an era at Preston North End, and the club will be looking to start a new chapter in the coming weeks and months. With the right appointment, the future looks bright for this famous old club.
A Look to the Future
As the club looks to the future, fans will be hoping that the new manager can bring success to Deepdale. With a talented squad and a rich history, Preston North End has all the ingredients to make a push for the play-offs.
Only time will tell if the club can achieve its goals, but one thing is certain – the Lowe departure has given the club a chance to start anew and look to the future with optimism.