Paul Heckingbottom leading contender for Preston North End job | OneFootball

Paul Heckingbottom has been out of work since being sacked by the Blades last December, but could be set for the Deepdale dugout.

Paul Heckingbottom is in 'pole position' to become the new manager of Preston North End.

That's according to a report from the Lancashire Post on Monday afternoon, with the Lilywhites in search of a new gaffer following Ryan Lowe's resignation following the club's opening day defeat to Sheffield United.

Lowe's former assistant Mike Marsh took charge of the club's Carabao Cup victory over Sunderland, but after suffering defeat at the hands of Swansea City over the weekend, it was announced that Marsh would not be in the running for the job full-time, and that he had left his role as interim manager.

Heckingbottom has been out of work since departing from Sheffield United last December after two years in charge, with the Blades sitting bottom of the Premier League.

Preston close in on Heckingbottom

As revealed by the Lancashire Post on Monday, the Lilywhites appear to have made Heckingbottom their priority target to take over at Deepdale, with him now being in 'pole position' to land the job.

With Marsh having no desire to take the club any further, whether that be on a temporary or permanent basis, the Preston hierarchy quickly drew up a shortlist of candidates that were of interest to them, with the aim being to have a new manager in place ahead of this Saturday's meeting with Luton Town.

Numerous names have been linked with the vacant North End post, including Alex Neil, John Eustace, Gary Rowett and even David Moyes all being touted as possibly being in the frame.

But it's now Heckingbottom that is the clear favourite to become Preston's new manager, with the Lancashire Post reporting that the experienced EFL coach has been interviewed for the job, whilst journalist Alan Nixon having revealed that the 47-year-old is keen on the move.

When appointing a new manager, it's crucial that those in charge of making that decision are in tune with one another regarding how they want the team to look on the pitch, and the type of character leading them in the dugout.

That would appear to be something that Preston are very conscious of, as North End director Peter Ridsdale has been discussing in recent days.

Speaking in an interview with the Lancashire Post, Ridsdale said: "So, clearly I spent a lot of yesterday speaking to Craig and the owners. They are conscious of the fact... my instructions are: ‘Get the right person, don’t get the cheap person’. So, they have made it clear to me that what we have to do."

Discussing the type of candidate Preston are looking at from a tactical perspective, Ridsdale said: “Well, the easy thing to say is somebody who wins football matches, but, what we also need is someone who has probably got a flexible management style, in terms of formation, not necessarily somebody who is rigid to a particular formula.

"And, we will have a squad by tomorrow where we don’t need to be wedded to a particular system in every game - because we’ll have players who can play further forward, in a flat back four and a 3-5-2.

"We will have a far more flexible squad option available, than maybe we’ve had in the past or wanted to have in the past. So, I think to that degree we’ll be looking for somebody who can have a squad that adapts to the game we’re about to play - as opposed to ‘we are predictable’.

“Look, we want a manager who wins football matches. For me to sit here and start talking as if I am some expert in formations and what works and what doesn’t, I think would be arrogant. And, I try hard not to be despite criticisms I sometimes get.

"We will try and get the right manager, who can win matches for Preston North End. I think we’ve got a squad that can be flexible in how they play - and what formation we play. Which means, if we have a manager who is the right one, they will recognise that and do what’s right to win the matches on any particular Saturday or Tuesday night.

"So, do I expect, going forward, we will be more flexible in how we play? I certainly hope so, but ultimately I want to win football matches.”

Despite things not going to plan in the Premier League for Sheffield United under Heckingbottom, Chris Wilder was also unable to change the course of the club's ill-fated 2023/24 season when he replaced him.

So it would be unfair to hold too much against Heckingbottom over those few months, as in spite of that, he has proven himself to be a very good coach, bringing success to multiple EFL clubs.

Heckingbottom has promotions with Barnsley and Sheffield United on his CV, and certainly ticks the box of being tactically flexible as evidenced from his time at Bramall Lane.

During Sheffield United's automatic promotion-winning 2022/23 campaign, Heckingbottom was commonly seen deploying a 3-5-2 system, but also employed a 3-4-2-1 on numerous occasions too.

A three at the back system is Heckingbottom's trademark, but he has been known to tinker with four at the back on occasions, showing he is willing to adapt his style of play.

With 43 wins from 73 Championship games in charge of Sheffield United, Heckingbottom has proven that he can construct a winning formula at second tier level.

Therefore, he would appear to fit Preston's criteria perfectly, and could be the man to finally get the Lilywhites back in serious contention for a Championship play-off place in some time.