Preston North End advisor Peter Ridsdale: Frankie McAvoy will get the chance to land Deepdale job full-time

McAvoy was handed the reins at Deepdale on Sunday after North End parted company with Alex Neil.

He joined North End with Neil in July 2017 having worked with him at Hamilton Academical and Norwich City.

The 53-year-old had worked with the job title of first-team coach since then, as did Steve Thompson who was already on the staff.

Interestingly, McAvoy has the interim head coach role rather than interim manager, a pointer maybe to a change of direction in the summer.

He will work with Thompson, goalkeeper coach Mike Pollitt and Paul Gallagher who has been combining midfield and coaching duties this season.

Peter Ridsdale, representative of PNE owner Trevor Hemmings, told the Lancashire Post: "Frankie and the coaching team will take things on for the rest of the season.

"I would like to think that will work. You look at Brentford who have promoted from within and have done very well.

"We don't want a revolution here.

"Frankie will be given the chance to get the job longer-term.

"We need some points and once we've got those, we can breath and see what we want to do."

Ridsdale admitted it had been a tough decision to part company with Neil as he approached the end of his fourth season at Deepdale.

The writing looked on the wall for Neil after Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Luton Town.

However, North End waited for the dust to settle before deciding to make a change.

Ridsdale said: "I have always believed in football never make key decisions after a match, it is too emotional.

"It is best to sleep on it, have a reasoned discussion and think things through.

"I think Alex Neil did very well for us, he has pushed us on as a club.

"I've enjoyed working with him, he is a consummate professional and the hardest working manager I have worked with.

"I really do wish Alex and his family the very best and I think he will be back in football quickly."

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