Preston North End have confirmed the permanent appointment of Frankie McAvoy as head coach. McAvoy stepped in following the departure of Alex Neil in March and steered Preston to a positive finish to season.
The Lilywhites lost just once under McAvoy and their positive finish to season saw Preston end with four straight league wins.
As well as announcing McAvoy’s permanent appointment, the club have announced midfielder Paul Gallagher has confirmed his retirement and will join McAvoy’s coaching team.
Frankie McAvoy Becomes Permanent Preston North End Head Coach
McAvoy Given the Job After Strong Finish to the Season
Alex Neil departed Deepdale after a run of four defeats in five. The Lilywhites had failed to sustain a promotion bid and struggled to find a consistent run of form. In total, Neil managed just three wins in his final 16 league games in charge.
Frankie McAvoy, a loyal coach under Neil stepped up and has transformed the team in a short space of time. They finished the season well with four straight league wins and five in eight under McAvoy. Preston finished in 13th place but face an important summer with several loanees departing and many first team players out of contract.
McAvoy impressed enough to earn the job full time and is now tasked with turning Preston into promotion contenders. He will continue to be assisted by Steven Thompson as well as the recently retired Paul Gallagher.
Gallagher calls time on his career in which he made 600 appearances with over half of those in the colours of Preston. He will join the Preston coaching staff as first team coach and begin a new career off the pitch.
McAvoy Deserves Opportunity After Positive Caretaker Spell
McAvoy, who has been part of Hamilton Academical and Norwich City’s coaching staff, steps up as number one for the first time. He was a loyal coach under Alex Neil and he will look to stamp his authority on a squad full of talent.
He has got the players on side and he fully deserves his chance after a strong finish to the season. Sustaining a promotion bid is the ambition and McAvoy has been part of promotion winning teams so he knows what it’s all about. A tough challenge awaits, but it’s one McAvoy will relish.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
