by Championship club Preston North End have announced the departure of manager Ryan Lowe after just one game this season.
The game was against Sheffield United, which would be considered a difficult task given that the Blades had just been relegated from the Premier League.
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But despite having been in office since December 2021 and having had a summer to prepare for this season, the 2-0 defeat was enough to signal the end of Lowe’s reign.
Minutes after the announcement, director Peter Ridsdale told talkSPORT: “I’m sure it’s [a surprise] for many people.
“Ryan wanted to see me yesterday. He was obviously going through a difficult time because we finished last season poorly. In the last five games we didn’t get any points and didn’t score a single goal.”
“There was a difficult atmosphere after our defeat at Deepdale on Friday. Ryan came round yesterday, wanted to speak to me and said, ‘Look mate, I’ve always told you if I thought I couldn’t carry on, I’d tell you and I can’t carry on. So if we can agree to carry on together, I’ll shake your hand and we’ll sort it out.’ And that’s what we did.”
When asked if he had any indication this was going to happen, Ridsdale replied: “None before Friday night, but I know he was very aware of the end of last season.”
“He was very aware of that and probably needed a good start to get everyone on his side.
“It was a tough game. Sheffield United are a very good team, they were in the Premier League last year.
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“I spent four and a half hours with him yesterday and he wasn’t ready to turn around.”
A statement from the club said: “Preston North End can confirm that manager Ryan Lowe has left the club by mutual consent.”
“Ryan joined the club in December 2021 and led us to 13th, 12th and 10th placed finishes in his two and a half seasons as the club’s first team coach.
“After the talks on Sunday 11 August, there was mutual agreement that now was the right time for a change.
“Ryan leaves the club with everyone’s thanks for his hard work, dedication and commitment and we wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”
“Mike Marsh will take charge of the team for the two upcoming games against Sunderland and Swansea City this week, accompanied by Peter Murphy and Ched Evans.
“Further details of these two encounters will be announced next week.”
Pre-season has been largely positive for Preston, who began with a 1-0 win over neighbours and Premier League giants Liverpool and then beat another major European side in Serie A side Fiorentina.
In his previous seasons at Deepdale, Lowe finished 13th and 12th in the league, thus clearly avoiding relegation.
Before joining Preston, the Liverpool-born manager had a respectable career in the EFL, promoting both Bury and Plymouth from League Two.
