BREAKING: Paul Heckingbottom leaves Preston North End - full club statement

Paul Heckingbottom has left Preston North End after just over two years at the club.

The 49-year-old departs PNE following a dreadful start to the 2026/27 campaign, with six defeats in their opening seven games, leaving the club second-bottom of the Championship. A 1-0 home defeat to Lincoln City on Saturday proved to be the final straw.

Stuart McCall has also left the club. First-team coach Jason Euell will take charge on an interim basis.

Heckingbottom arrived at Deepdale in August 2024 following Ryan Lowe’s exit. After a solid start, North End’s form tailed off in the latter stages of the season and they were dragged into a relegation battle, but stayed up on the final day.

PNE started the 2025/26 campaign very brightly and were three points away from the automatic promotion spots with 20 games to go, but capitulated in the second half of the season and finished 14th on 60 points.

In total, Paul Heckingbottom has taken charge of 109 competitive PNE matches, winning 30, drawing 38 and losing 41, equating to a 27.5% win rate.

In 2026 alone, North End have won seven, drawn six and lost 19 of their 32 games.

North End travel to QPR on Saturday before an extended international break. They then host Millwall on October 10.

A club statement read: “Preston North End Football Club have today taken the decision to part company with Paul Heckingbottom as first team football manager.

“Football is a results business and despite significant investment in the playing squad since Paul joined the results during 2026 and the start of this current campaign have not been acceptable.

“Paul leaves us with our thanks and best wishes. His professionalism and work ethic during his time with us have been second to none.

“As a result of this decision Stuart McCall has also left the Club today. We similarly thank Stuart for his contribution over the last two years and wish him every best wishes for the future.

“We will now look to appoint a new manager as soon as possible but until such time as we do Jason Euell will take charge of first team matters on an interim basis.”