Championship manager leaves club just one game into the new season as shock exit confirmed

Preston North End have announced the departure of manager Ryan Lowe after just one game of the new Championship season.

North End lost 2-0 to Sheffield United at Deepdale on Friday night in a game that was dominated by the away side.

The Lilywhites ended the 2023/24 season by losing all five of their final matches, without scoring a single goal. Having previously been within touching distance of the play-offs, they ultimately slipped down to 10th place.

The club took the step of releasing a statement last Christmas in which they backed Lowe amid a poor run of results, and North End’s form did have an upturn between January and March.

But amid growing concerns over the playing style and with results faltering, the Championship side have parted company with Lowe by mutual consent after just one game of the new season.

A club statement - signed by club director Peter Ridsdale - reads: "Following discussions that took place on Sunday 11th August, it was mutually agreed that now was an appropriate time for a change to be made.

"Ryan leaves with the thanks of everyone at the club for his hard work, dedication and commitment, and we wish him and his family the very best for the future."

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Speaking on talkSPORT, Ridsdale has stated that Lowe had made the decision to leave the club on Sunday.

North End have announced that former England youth coach Mike Marsh will take charge of Tuesday's Carabao Cup fixture against Sunderland at Deepdale.

Lowe took over at the Lancashire club in December 2021, having left his role at League One side Plymouth Argyle.

They finished 13th at the end of that campaign, before 12th and 10th-placed finishes under the former Bury and Crewe Alexandra striker.

He previously had a spell at Bury, where he took them to promotion from League Two before the club were expelled from the EFL, and also guided Plymouth out of League Two.