Defeat against Lincoln City spells the end for Heckingbottom as managerial storylines begin to develop across the EFL
14.09.26, 18:17 Updated 14.09.26, 18:20
Joel Grainger
When asked about his job security at his press conference on Friday afternoon, Paul Heckingbottom seemed relatively unbothered by increasing speculation about his position as the manager of Preston North End.
By Sunday however, he was sacked.
Seven games was all it took for Heckingbottom to become the first managerial casualty in the Championship. It is hard to argue that the Yorkshireman deserved more time at the helm; from the outside looking in, it seems he was well backed in the summer.
North End started the season dismally, however, picking up just one win from their opening seven games, losing the other six. The Lancashire side have opted to make the change early, which seems wise. It was hard to imagine Heckingbottom finding the inspiration to pull them out of what was an increasingly dire situation.
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Joel Grainger is the co-owner and Lead Editor for eflpublished. He has previous experience writing independently and for the Huddersfield Town podcast And He Takes That Chance, as well as an honours degree in Football Business and Marketing from the University Campus of Football Business.