Latest news with #Heckingbottom
Irish Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Preston boss delivers emphatic verdict on Robbie Brady's future
Robbie Brady made his 100th appearance for Preston in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Bristol City, but the question on fans' lips afterwards was - was it his last? The Ireland star's contract expires this summer and, at the age of 33, there is no clarity yet as to whether he will pen a new deal. However, after the regular Championship season drew to a close at the weekend, manager Paul Heckingbottom made clear his feelings on the matter. He was asked if Brady had made his final appearance for the Lilywhites and he was emphatic in his response. 'I hope not,' Heckingbottom replied. One of the factors that could influence Preston when it comes to the topic of Brady's future will be the injuries that restricted him to just 17 starts in the Championship this term. Another is the fact that Preston have managed to avoid relegation to League One by the skin of their teeth, with just one point separating them and the drop-zone. Heckingbottom continued: 'Robbie's been good, and one of the unlucky ones. 'We've had, like I said, a lot of unlucky injuries, whether that's Freddie (Woodman) getting injured and not playing again since rocking his ankle in a gym, during the international break. 'Robbie rocked his ankle away at Plymouth, just landed funny, and broke a rib when he returned. 'So, we missed him a hell of a lot. It's not like it's been anything down to him or what anyone's done with him, but you can see the value in him. 'We've used him at wing-back, used him when we played a four and he's been higher up and then, in the last few games, I felt when we've needed more strength - we know our experience in that midfield - we've used him in there as well. 'Set plays, he's got great delivery with his left foot as well. All round, when we've not had him available, he's been missed. And when I say available, I think back to the Portsmouth game at home... he was one of the ones who was on the bench and we made three changes at half-time. 'We needed personality on the pitch at half-time and just to change the dynamic of the game, he was one I put on. 'So, to have him fit and available, whether he starts or not, is a big thing. There might be (negotiations) now we're in the Championship. All the questions have been irrelevant until we stayed up.' Brady has been impressive this season both for club and country. While he managed only one goal this season - which came in the FA Cup against Burnley - he provided four assists, including one on Saturday. For Ireland, he bagged the winner last October against Finland in Helsinki to earn Heimir Hallgrímsson his first win as Boys in Green boss.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boss Heckingbottom banned for Preston's final game
Manager Paul Heckingbottom will not be on the touchline for Preston North End's decisive final Championship game of the season away to Bristol City. Heckingbottom has been handed a two-match touchline ban, a £6,000 fine and a warning about his future conduct following his behaviour during his side's loss at Hull City on Easter Monday. Advertisement The former Sheffield United boss admitted to acting in an improper manner and using abusive language towards a match official in the 55th minute and after the match, for which he was sent off. The incident concerned the awarding of the first of two penalties for Hull in a match which Preston lost after leading 1-0. Going into the game at Bristol City on Saturday, North End are 20th in the Championship, but just one point above the relegation zone. The Lancashire club have lost their last four games and could go down if they lose at Ashton Gate and Hull and Luton Town avoid defeat against Portsmouth and West Brom respectively.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Preston boss Heckingbottom charged with misconduct
Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom has been charged with misconduct following their Championship defeat by Hull City on Easter Monday. It is alleged Heckingbottom acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official around the 55th minute of the match. The 47-year-old was sent off during the loss, which dropped the Lilywhites into a battle against promotion at the tail end of the season. Heckingbottom, who could miss the final game of the season against Bristol City, has until Tuesday to respond, an FA Spokesperson said. Preston are currently one point above the Championship relegation places headed into their trip to Ashton Gate. They are without a win in eight games, losing six during that period, including their past four games in a row.
Leader Live
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
A sad, sad day – Miron Muslic accepts Plymouth's relegation despite victory
Mustapha Bundu put Argyle ahead in the 14th minute and Callum Wright came off the bench to seal victory with a second goal in the 75th minute. Emil Riis scored in the cloding stages as Plymouth failed to clear a corner, but the visitors held on to the victory. Despite the three points, Luton's 1-0 win over Coventry earlier in the day essentially confined the Pilgrims to League One next season, unless they are able to get a 14-goal swing with the Hatters on the final weekend of the season. The Plymouth boss said: 'We tried everything and we gave it all. Believe me, it was not easy for the lads, knowing from the first whistle that Luton scored this unbelievable goal in minute 90 and that we are relegated. 'It's a tough one to take but then going outside and being ready to give it all one more time, first of all for us as a team, and for the Green Army, shows that we have the right character. It's a sad, sad day for all of us. 'The character testament was there from the whole team. You go out on to the pitch knowing you're relegated and you play Preston. They have something to play for.' He added: 'If you give everything to the lads then you can demand everything back. We gave it all from day one until today and then it's easier to get everything back from the players because they believe in the process and they follow you.' When pressed on his future at the club next season, Muslic said that it was 'not the question for right now', but he did say that those around Plymouth are 'good people'. Preston's future in the Championship is also in doubt after a string of four straight league defeats and no victory in seven games has left them one point and one place above the relegation zone. Boss Paul Heckingbottom admitted the current situation needs to be acknowledged. 'A scare like this is 100 per cent [a wake-up call],' Heckingbottom said. 'But all I'm focused on is the preparation and the performance next week. That's it. That's what we mentioned today. 'The missing bits were in both boxes and we should be having a completely different conversation, but I've said that too many times and that's been the one consistent flaw in our performances. 'When we've had the performances, when we've had the chances, we've not picked up enough three points off it and that's the tale of it. When we've not been at our best, we've not been able to get over the line like Plymouth have today.' Heckingbottom was scathing of his players in the recent home match against QPR, but was more calm and reflective in his assertions on the Plymouth defeat, putting any excuses to the side. 'It's a tale of both boxes,' he added. 'We were wasteful in their box and they were clinical in ours. That's it. 'Everything else in between is propaganda when you're looking for results. Even though we controlled that bit, the game's always controlled with what happens in both boxes.'
BBC News
10-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
PNE to 'refresh squad' in summer
Preston North End will use the summer to refresh and improve their squad, says boss Paul loan players returning to their parent clubs and others coming to the end of their contracts, Heckingbottom believes there is an opportunity for him to stamp his mark on the squad at said there could be as many as a dozen squad places to fill but added "one or two" of the out-of-contract players "could be staying".North End have four loan players set to leave at the end of the Championship season while six senior players, including goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and second top-scorer Emil Riis, will be out of contract."There's the potential to, definitely," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire when asked about a summer overhaul."Your loans are going to go automatically and there will be one or two who leave as well."So if we play it right, it's a big opportunity to refresh the squad, improve the squad and just change the dynamic of it."Preston are 16th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone with five games to go, and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup where they lost 3-0 at home to Aston Villa.
