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Lawro fears PNE could lose Irvine
Mark Lawrenson insists Preston will have little chance of keeping Alan Irvine if West Bromwich Albion step up their bid to take the Deepdale boss to The Hawthorns.
Irvine has emerged as the leading candidate to be the next manager at the Baggies andsources in the Midlands claim North End's Championship rivals will make an official approach in the next 48 hours.
"In my book, Alan Irvine is the best manager in the Championship and his work at Preston has not gone unnoticed in the football world," said Lawrenson, the former Deepdale defender.
"It is no surprise at all that other clubs are looking at him.
"Of course, every Preston fan will be hoping Alan stays, but if West Bromwich do come in then it is going to be extremely hard for PNE to hang on to him.
"Football is a hard-nosed business and WBA simply have more resources than Preston, they are in a stronger position financially.
"They will have admired Alan's work, and when you think that Preston were bottom of the table on New Year's Day, 2008, and then see what Alan has achieved since, taking us to the play-offs in his first full season, then that's a fantastic achievement in terms of what he had available in terms of the size of his squad.
"No Preston fan would want Alan Irvine to go, but it could be inevitable if West Bromwich make an official approach."
Deepdale chairman Derek Shaw promised that Preston would 'firmly resist' any attempt by Albion to take Irvine to The Hawthorns.
Said Shaw: "Alan Irvine is Preston North End's manager, and we've not had any contact with West Bromwich Albion.
"We don't want any either, because Alan is our manager and he is doing a great job.
"He has transformed the club over the last 18 months and we want him to remain at Deepdale.
"We would not welcome any form of approach from them for our manager, and I can assure our supporters that we are not in communication with West Bromwich.
"The last thing in the world PNE need at this time is to be searching for another manager, it would be a disaster for us."
Shaw added: "Alan has a long-term contract with Preston, but we also have to take into account he has a clause in his contract, and if another club came in then it could be out of our hands.
"The decision could be down to the manager himself, if the terms of his contract were met, but that's something we would vehemently oppose. I really hope that does not happen because we want him at Preston."
Irvine heads the short-list for the Baggies' post following Tony Mowbray's move to Celtic.
Irvine, former Albion captain Derek McInnes, who led St Johnstone to promotion to the Scottish Premier League last season, Cardiff City manager Dave Jones and Peterborough's Darren Ferguson have all been under discussion since Mowbray was installed at Parkhead.
Ferguson was believed to be the favourite for the job, but now Irvine is the name on everybody's lips at The Hawthorns.
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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