Preston North End have sacked manager Paul Heckingbottom after a poor start to the 2025-26 Championship season. The club finished 20th in his first season, their lowest finish since returning to the Championship in 2015, avoiding relegation only with a final-day draw at Bristol City. They failed to win in their final seven league games despite an FA Cup quarter-final run, which included a 3-0 victory over Burnley in the fifth round.

Preston began strongly, losing only one of their first nine matches and sitting among the early pace-setters, but 12 defeats in their final 22 games saw them drop to 14th place. Heckingbottom was supported in the transfer window, with signings including defender Harry Clarke from Ipswich, midfielder Alfie Devine from Tottenham, winger Stan Mills from Oxford United, midfielder Leo Leroy from Basel, and forward Johnny Kenny from Celtic on deadline day. The club has invited fans to share their views on the departure and potential replacements via a link for publication on Monday morning.