Preston North End have begun the search for a new manager following the departure of Paul Heckingbottom. The club sits 23rd in the Championship with just three points from seven games, a position that has intensified the need for a swift appointment. The team's current form and detailed stats show a side that has scored only six goals, conceding 13, for a goal difference of minus seven.

Heckingbottom's exit comes after a run of four defeats in the last five matches, including a 1-0 home loss to Lincoln City last Friday. The team's recent form reads LLWLL, with only a single victory against Blackburn Rovers in early September interrupting a string of poor results. The club has not yet made a formal announcement regarding a permanent successor, but the process of identifying candidates is underway.

Potential candidates emerge

Several names are already being linked with the vacancy at Deepdale. Among them is former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder, whose experience of winning promotion from the Championship is seen as a major asset. Another figure under consideration is Nathan Jones, who has previously managed Luton Town and Southampton and is known for his intense, detailed coaching style.

Steve Cooper, who led Nottingham Forest to the Premier League, is also a potential target, though his availability and ambitions may present a challenge. The list of possibles is understood to include Michael Carrick, currently at Middlesbrough, and ex-Barnsley manager Michael Duff, who impressed with his work at Oakwell. The final decision will rest with the club's hierarchy, who are weighing up the need for immediate results against a longer-term vision.

A difficult start

The urgency of the situation is clear from the standings. Preston's struggles are compounded by a growing injuries list, with key players Ali McCann and Brad Potts currently sidelined. Top scorer Ched Lang has three goals, but the team has struggled for consistency at both ends of the pitch.

The 2-1 defeat at Watford and the 4-0 loss to Everton in the Carabao Cup highlighted defensive frailties that a new manager will need to address quickly. Supporters at Deepdale have grown increasingly frustrated, and the next appointment will be key in steering the club away from the relegation zone.

What happens next

The immediate focus is on preparing for the next Championship fixture, a trip to face Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. This key match is part of a full schedule of upcoming fixtures. In the meantime, the club's recruitment team will continue their work behind the scenes, aiming to secure a new boss who can halt the slide and build a more competitive side from the existing squad. The new manager's first task will be to organise a team that has shown flashes of promise but lacks solidity, with the aim of climbing away from the bottom three before the international break.

Further reading: FreeBets