Skip to player
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
Search
Connect
Watch fullscreen
Like
Comments
Bookmark
Share
Add to Playlist
Report
Preston North End managerial latest
Lancashire Post
Follow
19/08/2024
Preston North End writer George Hodgson gives his take on the Lilywhites' search for a new manager
Category
🥇
Sports
Transcript
Display full video transcript
00:00
Hello and welcome to the very first edition of Lillie White's Latest. I can nearly say
00:07
that, George. My name is Mark McMahon and joining me today to discuss the latest goings-on
00:12
at Deepdale is the one and only George Hudson. George, it's fair to say that press Norvanda
00:18
kept you very busy over the past week.
00:21
Yeah, nice easy introduction to the new season, of course. Crazy, really. I think it was always
00:28
going to be an important start to the year for Ryan Lowe with how last season finished.
00:33
The frustration was evident amongst the fan base and I kind of had in my mind that six
00:38
to eight games, really, and you'd then see where it was. But obviously to lose your manager
00:44
one game in is absolutely astounding. So, yeah, I think Ben Whiteman described it as
00:49
a strange week, a very weird week and I'd pretty much agree with that in a busy week
00:53
as well.
00:55
I will ask you about the Ryan Lowe situation, but before we do that there, what's your latest
01:01
understanding of Preston's search for a successor for him?
01:05
Yeah, seems pretty imminent now. I think it's looking like it's going to be Paul Eckingbottom
01:10
who's an obviously experienced name at the level and been out of work since December.
01:16
I think obviously with the Mike Marsh news after Saturday's game that he'd be stepping
01:20
away from interim charge, it's kind of accelerated the need to get somebody in. Whether that's
01:27
been ideal for Preston, time will tell, but I think Eckingbottom was always one high up
01:32
on the list. And obviously there's a game against Luton on Saturday, which is a massive
01:38
match and you can't have nobody in charge for that game. So, I think maybe it's been
01:43
pushed through a little bit, but I think they're always hoping to have somebody in this week
01:47
and yeah, it seems pretty close now.
01:51
What sort of response will Paul Eckingbottom get from the big deal fans?
01:56
You know, footy fans, Mark, you'll never please everyone, but I think the vast majority will
02:01
see it as a safe pair of hands coming in. I know there was a lot of clamour for the
02:06
next bright thing, the next exciting head coach coming through the ranks, but I think
02:12
you've got to look at the timing. The season's started, there's four months until the next
02:16
transfer window. I'm not sure Preston could afford to do that. So, I fully understand
02:20
why they've gone for someone like Eckingbottom, if it is going to be him, because they need
02:26
results now. There's no point looking ahead to January in the future and you're 24th.
02:31
So, obviously it's been a tough start and I think you'll get a bit of an identity and
02:38
organisation back around the team. I think you'll understand what North End fans want
02:43
to see in their team. You know, he's managed teams up north and I think he might resonate
02:48
with them, but obviously he'll need to start well.
02:52
Are you surprised how quickly events are happening, if Eckingbottom is going to be the new man?
02:59
Are you surprised just how quickly Preston have gotten on top of the situation?
03:04
Yes and no, because I think a few of the updates from the club and Peter Ridgedale suggested
03:09
that it might take two or three weeks. They wanted the right person, not the cheapest,
03:14
but then obviously with the Mars decision on Saturday, I think they just need to get
03:18
somebody in. So, it is a bit extreme. I think they said they were looking through 65 plus
03:23
names last Wednesday, which to be honest, that seemed too many to me anyway. I don't
03:29
know why you need a list of 65 names, but they were doing that and now obviously it's
03:32
Monday to be on the verge of appointing someone. From the outside, it looks like that's moved
03:38
pretty quickly. So, yes and no.
03:41
How important is it that Peter Ridgedale gets this particular appointment right though?
03:46
Yes, massive. I think you could feel it after Saturday, where Preston fans were looking
03:51
around thinking, what on earth is going on here? I think the pressure and the criticism
03:57
was coming. So, I think Peter is obviously not daft. He's a pretty wily operator. He'll
04:02
recognise the situation and the need to really get this back on track. It's not a
04:08
an ideal situation to start a season for sure. Two defeats, two games and two managers have
04:14
walked away. So, yes, I think Ridgedale will know how big this is now. Obviously, he's
04:19
been at the club a long time as well.
04:22
Will the new manager be given funds to stamp his own authority on the squad? Burnham English
04:27
still got the transfer window at play and next to have got to the Friday week to get
04:32
transfers. Will he be able to add any of his own players to the squad?
04:39
I don't think they've ever ruled out doing further business. Obviously, they've signed
04:43
four players and Ridgedale said four or five would be the target for this summer. So, I
04:48
think North End fans would love to see a centre-back signed and whether they can do that, we'll
04:53
have to see. But there is still time on side, isn't there? I think obviously Heckingbottom
04:57
will have contacts, he'll know players up and down England. So, I wouldn't be surprised
05:03
if they did manage to squeeze another one in. I think there is money left to spend.
05:06
I don't think they've blown the budget, so to speak. But two loans in, two overseas signings
05:12
I think are about a combined two and a half million. So, there might be a little bit left
05:17
in the coffers, but I think that would be a big boost getting a manager in and then
05:22
one more signing would be very welcomed.
05:25
In your opinion, what sort of squad will a new manager be inheriting?
05:32
Not to be negative, but I think it's quite an imbalanced one really. North End have recruited
05:36
for wing-backs for the last two and a half years. So, there's not many full-backs in
05:42
the squad. There's obviously Kesselhagen's coming from Villa, hopefully he can shine
05:46
as the season goes on. But only a real one-winger in the squad as well. So, I don't think it's
05:52
ideal, which I think makes it necessary for Preston to go for a pragmatic manager, which
05:57
Heckingbottom seems to be like. I think I've read a few comments from Sheffield United
06:02
fans who say he makes best use of what he's got and I think that'll probably have really
06:08
appealed to North End. So, there's good characters in there. There's a together group and there
06:12
is quality as well. But, yes, I wouldn't say it's the most balanced Preston squad I've ever seen.
06:18
Okay. I know you mentioned Ryan Lowe at the very start, but what is your general
06:23
thoughts on that situation, his departure after just one game of the new season?
06:28
Yeah, it's not a good look, is it? Obviously, as I mentioned, it was always going to be
06:33
a big start to the season for him and it wouldn't have taken much for pressure to really pile on.
06:39
But one game is pretty remarkable. I'm not sure what you learn after one game that you
06:42
didn't know back in May after five straight defeats. So, yeah, that's not been ideal. It's
06:48
a bit of a sour end, really. And the last 18 months, certainly the last six months,
06:53
were tough for Ryan Lowe. He had a bit of a run January to March time. But, yeah,
06:59
you just got the sense he'd lost the fans, really. And it was probably coming to a natural head. I
07:04
think they'd maybe hit the ceiling under him in terms of being kind of 10th to 12th. No real
07:10
evidence they could genuinely push higher than that. So, yeah, never nice for it to end in the
07:15
way it did, but it certainly could have got worse if he stuck around for a bit longer.
07:20
What's your take on Saturday's events, especially when Mike Marsh
07:24
revealed that, one, he didn't want the job and, two, that he would be leaving?
07:30
Yeah, it's quite a U-turn from Tuesday when we got told he was quite keen to take the job if he
07:36
got offered it and wanted to be a number one and all this. And I guess, as a caretaker boss, when
07:41
you lose 3-0, you probably know you're done, don't you? So, not the biggest surprise, but it doesn't
07:45
leave Preston in a great state, that's for sure. They've probably had to rush this decision through.
07:51
But for me, I just don't enjoy going to Swansea, Mark, to be honest. It's the second time I've
07:57
been there and no managers turned up afterwards for, obviously, Ryan Lowe getting a scrap with
08:02
Joe Allen a few years ago. And we just seem to lose there every season. So, yeah, certainly not
08:08
my favourite place in the country to go and visit. But, yeah, it is what it is. Hopefully,
08:15
still 44 league games, so hopefully North End can pick up because it's not been the ideal start.
08:21
Yeah, and if the manager does come in, I don't think Tass is playing against Luton on Saturday, then?
08:27
Oh, yeah, it will be difficult, that. I think they've obviously lost and drawn,
08:32
but I don't think they've lost many players that came down from the Premier League. And
08:36
Edwards is a good manager and they'll be really keen to get a first win. So,
08:40
certainly could be an easier first match. But I think the deep Dale Faithfull can hopefully
08:48
really get behind the team. Heckingbottom, if it is to be him, will come in and say all the right
08:53
things and it will really build up to that kick-off on Saturday. And Preston's players
08:58
should be absolutely desperate to make a good first impression. So,
09:01
I think it could be set up quite nicely, really.
09:04
Good stuff, George. George, I know you've got loads on. This is an ever-evolving situation,
09:10
so I'll let you crack on and get back to work. Thanks for your time and thank you
09:14
all for watching. We'll be back hopefully soon. Goodbye.
Recommended
10:18
|
Up next
North End Natter
Lancashire Post
09/06/2025
15:36
Preston vs Sunderland preview with George Hodgson from Lancashire Live
Sunderland Echo
11/08/2023
12:34
Preston North End transfer talk
Lancashire Post
02/06/2025
11:15
Pompey boss John Mousinho's press conference ahead of Preston clash
The News, Portsmouth
06/11/2024
11:00
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho previews the trip to Preston North End
The News, Portsmouth
13/03/2025
0:32
Crawley Town boss Scott Lindsey address Preston North End link
SussexWorld
15/08/2024
1:00
Middlesbrough’s Michael Carrick warns of “dangerous” Preston
Local TV Sport
24/01/2025
0:33
Preston North End headlines May 26 - Daniel Johnson linked with Stoke
Lancashire Post
26/05/2023
9:43
Preston North End v Portsmouth: pre-match preview
The News, Portsmouth
14/03/2025
1:03
Ryan Lowe on Alan Browne's contract
Lancashire Post
28/03/2024
3:37
Preston boss Ryan Lowe happy with a point against Vincent Kompany's Burnley
Lancashire Post
13/09/2022
0:55
Preston North End | Player Profile | Alex Neil
Lancashire Post
06/12/2019
9:20
Pompey 3-1 Preston North End: John Mousinho's post-match verdict
The News, Portsmouth
09/11/2024
5:18
Preston North End 3-1 Blackpool - Post match verdict from Tom Sandells and Matt Scrafton
Lancashire Post
01/04/2023
2:57
Labour MP Sir Mark Hendrick speaks after landslide victory in Preston
Lancashire Post
05/07/2024
5:33
Ryan Lowe press conference pre Watford
Lancashire Post
18/08/2022
30:22
Sunderland vs Preston North End preview with LEP writer Tom Sandells
Sunderland Echo
28/09/2022
2:34
Leeds United v Preston North End - Big Match Preview
Yorkshire Post
18/01/2024
1:11
PNE manager Ryan Lowe on his Swansea red card
Lancashire Post
21/04/2023
1:21
Ryan Ledson on his future at Preston North End
Lancashire Post
03/03/2025
3:29
Preston North End 2-1 Pompey: John Mousinho's post-match reaction
The News, Portsmouth
15/03/2025
1:32
Watch heart-warming moment footie-mad Preston teen scores winning goal after beating cancer
Lancashire Post
03/06/2025
0:39
Preston North End | Player Profile | Josh Harrop
Lancashire Post
24/03/2020
1:16
Preston North End hold minute silence for Southport stabbing victims in Everton friendly
Lancashire Post
04/08/2024
0:57
Lancashire Post sport update 12 August 2022: Preston North End boss confident deals will get done as search for wing back and striker continue
Lancashire Post
12/08/2022