Graham Alexander explains Preston North End coaching staff changes

Preston North End manager Graham Alexander has reshaped his coaching staff, explaining the need for change after a winless start to his tenure at Deepdale.

Graham Alexander has reshaped his coaching staff at Preston North End after three straight defeats since his appointment. The new manager, who took charge on September 28, confirmed the departures of Peter Murphy and Andy Liddell this week as he seeks to change the team's direction.

Alexander's first three games have ended in defeat, leaving Preston 24th in the Championship with just four points from 11 matches, having managed only one win and one draw all season. The most recent was a 4-1 loss at Wrexham last Saturday, where Alfie Devine scored a consolation goal. The club's recent form reads five games without a win, with four losses and a draw, a sequence that includes a 4-0 defeat at Birmingham and a 0-1 home loss to Millwall. Their overall record this season shows nine goals scored and 24 conceded, leaving them with a minus fifteen goal difference.

Backroom reshuffle continues

Peter Murphy and Andy Liddell, who were part of Paul Heckingbottom's staff, left the club on Monday evening. Liddell had remained in his first-team coach role for Alexander's first three games. The manager has brought in Chris Lucketti, his long-term assistant from Bradford City, and indicated only one new coaching position will be filled.

Alexander said he does not believe in excess staffing and wants designated roles with accountability. "I just feel we need to to change the course of the season so far," he explained. The manager stated he felt it was better to make changes sooner rather than later and that he was entrusted to make these decisions.

Staff continuity and tactical vision

Jadon Euell and Mike Pollitt remain in their roles at Deepdale. Alexander emphasized the need for a significant change in how the team works, is organised, and communicates to achieve success. He said the first three games under his management gave him a clear indication of what the players needed.

"We have to make changes in to how we work, how we approach things," Alexander said. The manager is aiming to improve a team that has conceded 24 goals this season while scoring only nine, leaving them with a goal difference of minus fifteen. They are 19 points behind league leaders Swansea.

The immediate opportunity to address these struggles comes this Saturday at Deepdale against fifth-placed West Bromwich Albion. Alexander will hope his revised coaching setup can help secure a first positive result.