Preston have got a rich history, tradition, loyal fans and the oldest stadium in English professional football. But what they haven’t got is a manager.The club that won two titles in the English top-flight sacked their Scottish manager Frankie McAvoy after a run of poor results that leaves the Lilywhites just above the drop zone.”Frankie stepped in earlier this year to assist us, initially in an interim role, before taking up the position of head coach. His first eight games at the end of last season were a huge success, but this season we have struggled for consistency. Ultimately it is a results business and results to date have not met our expectations, so we have decided to make a change at this time.”Sacrificing private MichaelAmong candidates to take over the reins from McAvoy are current St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson and Motherwell coach Graham Alexander. They seem to have a thing for Scottish managers at Deepdale, but there is another name that’s been discussed in the boardroom – the name of Michael Carrick.Just a few days after ending his caretaker role at Manchester United, the former assistant to Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer decided to leave Old Trafford following the appointment of Ralf Rangnick. When Carrick left United, cited his desire to spend time with his family as one of the reasons why he was stepping away.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Carrick announced his decision to leave minutes after the Arsenal victory which lifted United into the seventh spot in the table.”It wasn’t easy telling the players. In some ways you feel like you’re leaving them in the lurch but sometimes you have to do what’s right. I’ve loved working with them – they are a terrific group of players. It’s not been an easy decision to make but I feel it’s the right one. It’s 100% my decision. Over the last week I was conscious I respected the club and the manager coming in. I thought it was the right thing to do for the club and for Ralf. I’m quite happy with that.”Spending time with his family is lovely, but Carrick is believed to be eager to try himself as full-time boss of a football club. His former England teammates Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard also started their managerial careers in the second tier with Derby County. A job at Preston would be a fine opportunity for the former midfielder.The moment when you first see the pitch and stadium of your team.If you live in Preston and have kids, get them down to Deepdale. They’ll love it.Great football being played at a great club 😁 and you don’t have to wait until they’re on TV 👀#pnefc #supportyourlocalteam@pnefc pic.twitter.com/pLtgqtETjO— Craig McDougall (@craigPNE88) October 6, 2019 And it would be a job at a legendary stadium.Whilst many clubs have moved about from spot to spot in their history, Preston North End have remained loyal to the piece of turf in Preston in the Lancashire county, making it their home since 21st January 1875 when the club’s members first took out a lease on the plot of land. A former farm, Deepdale hosted its first league match on September 8th 1888, when local rivals Burnley were beaten. It had previously held many rugby matches and many local encounters before the Football League was even established by the English Football Association.EFL CHAMPIONSHIP – Round 22Saturday15.30: (2.70) Huddersfield (3.05) Coventry (2.80)18.00: (2.30) Birmingham (3.15) Cardiff (3.30)18.00: (1.90) Preston (3.40) Barnsley (4.30)18.00: (1.85) Bournemouth (3.50) Blackburn (4.40)18.00: (2.40) Derby (3.10) Blackpool (3.20)18.00: (3.25) Peterborough (3.10) Millwall (2.35)18.00: (4.10) Luton (3.50) Fulham (1.92)18.00: (2.25) Hull (3.10) Bristol City (3.50)18.00: (2.30) Swansea (3.15) Nott.Forest (3.30)18.00: (2.40) Stoke (3.10) Middlesbrou. (3.20)18.00: (1.55) WBA (3.90) Reading (6.50)Monday22.45: (2.05) Sheffield Utd (3.40) QPR (3.70)***odds are subject to change
