Next Preston Manager Odds: Ryan Lowe red-hot favourite to replace Frankie McAvoy

Preston are searching for their third manager of 2021 after they parted ways with head coach Frankie McAvoy on Monday night.

McAvoy was handed the interim position in March following the exit of long-serving boss Alex Neil, a contract which was made permanent in May after an impressive end to the season in which he accumulated 17 points from eight games.

Fast-forward to December and Preston have become the sixth Championship club to make a managerial change this season following a return of six wins from 21 games which leaves the Lancashire side 18th in the table.

In total, the Scot won 14, draw nine, and lost 10 of his 33 matches in all competitions since March: a win rate of 42.4%.

“Frankie is an honest, hard-working person who deserves to succeed and he leaves us with our grateful thanks and best wishes for the future,” Preston said in a statement.

“He will always be welcome back at Deepdale at any time.

“The club will now look to appoint a new manager to take the club forward and a further update will be provided in due course.”

Below we take a look at who that new manager could be…

At the time of writing, all signs point to Ryan Lowe who emerged as the red-hot early favourite in the betting before Bet Victor shut the market on Tuesday morning - he's 1/10 with Sky Bet - while he’s currently leading our poll.

Lowe is destined for the Championship. Whether that’s with current club Plymouth or a side currently located in the division. 

Since entering into management in 2017 he’s masterminded two promotion-winning campaigns with Bury then Plymouth - both in League Two - and now has The Green Army challenging for promotion up to the second-tier.

Lowe is a talented, passionate and determined young manager who employs a brand of high-energy, attack-minded football, and could be the ideal fit to spark the Deepdale faithful back into life.

However, if a potential deal falls through, then there a plenty of other options.

Michael Carrick was briefly installed as the odds-on favourite on Monday night (Bet Victor), before drifting to 6/1.

Carrick only left Man Utd last week following a successful stint as caretaker, during which he oversaw wins over Arsenal and Villarreal and carved out a draw away to Chelsea.

The 40-year-old revealed that after dedicating so much time to his playing and coaching career he now wants to spend time with his family, so while he’s sure to have a bright future ahead of him in the dugout we may have to wait until the New Year to see his jump into full-time management.

As managerial debut seasons go, it’s difficult to think of a more successful season in recent times than Callum Davidson. Handed his first job by St Johnstone in the summer of 2020, Davidson proceeded to propel the Saints to a sensational domestic cup double, a 5th-place finish, and into Europe.

After those seismic highs, it’s fallen a bit flat this season. Their league form has been patchy and goals have been hard to come by.

Yet Davidson could be viewed as a long-term option for Preston. His exploits last season were truly spectacular, meaning there’s every chance he’ll at least be on the radar of his former club, whom he made over 180 appearances for between 2004-2011, and captained.

As was the case back in March two other former Lilywhites players, Gareth Ainsworth and Michael Appleton, once again feature in the betting for the permanent job.

Long-serving Ainsworth has done an incredible job at Wycombe since his appointment nine years ago, and is currently attempting to lead his 3rd-placed troops to another promotion up to the Championship.

On a meagre budget Appleton impressively took Lincoln to the League One play-off final last season, but the current campaign has been a difficult one with just five wins from 19 games to date.

Roy Keane came into 10/1 on Monday night, although it would be a shock if he returned to management after a 10 year absence. Frank Lampard (16/1) is probably another unlikely appointment.

Chris Hughton and Neil Lennon are two managers with Championship experience looking for their next job, Paul Cook has just left his post at Ipswich, while we are still waiting to see which club John Terry begins his managerial career at. Nicky Butt and John O’Shea are also looking for their first job.

Wayne Rooney has received praise for the job he’s doing at troubled Derby, MK Dons boss Liam Manning has caught attention in League One, then further down the betting you can find Steve Bruce and Neil Lennon out at 20/1, and Jonathan Woodgate at 25/1.

It’s probably safe to say that Preston won’t be going down the caretaker route again as the club bid to appoint a new manager ahead of their next clash against Barnsley on Saturday.

Next Preston Manager Odds - Sky Bet

1/10 Ryan Lowe

10/1 Callum Davidson

16/1 Gareth Ainsworth

16/1 Michael Carrick

16/1 Graham Alexander

20/1 Liam Manning

20/1 Nicky Butt

20/1 Paul Cook

20/1 Roy Keane