Sacking this late in the season was a first for Preston North End

Managerial sackings have been common at Preston North End down the years but the dismissal of Alex Neil was different in the timing of it.
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Never had PNE sacked a manager this late in the season until Neil was given his cards on Sunday.

The winter months have tended to be sacking time at Deepdale, a reaction to a poor first half of the season.

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Managers have gone in March before but by their own choice. David Moyes left for Everton 19 years ago.

Alex Neil ahead of PNE's defeat at WycombeAlex Neil ahead of PNE's defeat at Wycombe
Alex Neil ahead of PNE's defeat at Wycombe

In March 1986, Brian Kidd resigned his post as PNE struggled at the wrong end of the Football League.

Neil presided over 191 league and cup games at Preston.

He won 72, drew 48 and lost 71, the final defeat being Saturday’s 1-0 reverse to Luton.

In the league, his 176 matches produced 66 wins, 46 draws and 64 defeats.

In that time, Neil’s men scored 222 goals and shipped 216.

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Their biggest win was the 5-1 victory over Barnsley in October 2019, the heaviest defeats being 4-0 reverses at Hull City last season and Cardiff City a month ago.

They had one short spell at the top of the table after the 1-0 win at Charlton in November 2019.

Only once were North End propping-up the rest, a 3-2 defeat at Sheffield United in October 2018 sending them bottom of the Championship.

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