{
  "id": 7118376,
  "title": "Struggling Preston North End sack Heckingbottom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/struggling-preston-north-end-sack-heckingbottom-7118376",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-13T14:36:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/struggling-preston-sack-heckingbottom-141034898.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Preston North End have dismissed manager Paul Heckingbottom after six defeats in their last seven league games left them second from bottom in the Championship. The decision comes despite significant investment in the squad since Heckingbottom's arrival in August 2024, with the club highlighting that the results have fallen short of expectations. In his first season at the club, Heckingbottom took charge of 109 games but managed just five wins in 27 league matches from the beginning of January. Following their home defeat to Lincoln City on Saturday, a club statement expressed gratitude for Heckingbottom's professionalism but emphasized that the results during 2025-26 and the current campaign have been unacceptable. Assistant manager Stuart McCall has also departed the club, with interim control now in the hands of Jason Euell. Preston finished 20th in Heckingbottom's inaugural season, their worst finish since rejoining the Championship in 2015, narrowly avoiding relegation with a final-day draw against Bristol City. Despite a strong start to the 2025-26 season, the team succumbed to 12 defeats in their last 22 games, resulting in a 14th-place finish. The club's statement invited fan opinions on who should succeed Heckingbottom, with the next match set against QPR pending.",
  "summary": "Preston North End sack Paul Heckingbottom after six defeats in seven league games left the Lilywhites second bottom of the Championship.",
  "key_points": [
    "Preston North End fires Paul Heckingbottom as manager.",
    "Club highlights results fell short of expectations despite investment.",
    "Assistant manager Stuart McCall also leaves the team."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Struggling Preston North End sack Heckingbottom",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/struggling-preston-north-end-sack-heckingbottom",
        "published": "2026-09-13T14:10:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}