Simpson sacked by Preston

Lilywhites act to replace manager

Last updated: 13th November 2007

Simpson sacked by Preston

Simpson: Sacked

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Preston North End have sacked Paul Simpson following the club's disappointing start to the season.

The Championship side are 21st in the table after one win in seven games and Simpson has paid the price for the poor run of results.

Only on Monday, Simpson revealed that he would not stand down, despite describing Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Hull City as the 'worst performance of the season'.

However, Preston have now taken the decision out of the former Carlisle manager's hands by relieving him of his duties.

Heavy heart

"It is with heavy heart that this type of decision has to be made, but the board and I felt that a change was necessary to try and halt the recent slide in results and performance," chairman Derek Shaw told the club's official website.

"Modern football is a cut-throat industry and is results based and without an away win in the league this season and with three away league wins in the whole of 2007 we felt we had to act now.

"We have asked Rob Kelly, Billy Barr and Dave Timmins to look after first-team training while we search for a successor to Paul, but we hope this process can be concluded quickly and hope to try and get someone in place before the next game, against Charlton Athletic a week on Saturday.

"May I place on record my thanks to Paul for his honest and hard-working approach in his time at the club and wish him every success in the future."

Comments (15)

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Ryan Burns (Preston North End fan) says...

The deed is done now! Paul Simpson has gone his seperate way. But North End is still lagging behind in the Championship. Therfore now we need to stop looking at Paul's mistakes and look to the future. I say pay the money he wants and get Paul Jewell in. Remember Mr. Shaw you've got to spend money to make money!

Posted 13:07 16th November 2007

Richard Wright (Preston North End fan) says...

I thought Simpson started to lose control towards the end of last season. Players appeared to lose their respect & certain players like David Nugent clearly lost focus. Should have given Simpson til at least Christmas to turn it around....... Jose Mourinho is available?!?!?

Posted 09:03 14th November 2007

Stephen Bailey (Preston North End fan) says...

Once again the Preston board have shown how completely inept they are. They expect miricles despite consistently selling our best players and not providing the manager with significant funds to spend. Now they sack a youthful manager in Simpson and will probably appoint an old manager to take the club into mid table stagnation. Remember when 60year old Craig Brown was appointed on 500k a year despite not having any club experience for 15years. Simpson did a great job last year and the club has had a poor start. Remember leeds last year, blackwell took them to within a game of the premiership then was sacked after a poor start...did them a lot of good.

Posted 07:41 14th November 2007

Tom Wickley says...

Paul had to go, not because of the results but his lack of ability to cope with them. His comments to the media showed poor judgement and man-management. the true test of good management is not when things are going well but when they are not

Posted 05:38 14th November 2007

Stephen Mccall (Carlisle United fan) says...

Paul Simpson is still one of the best young managers in the game, just take a look at his CV and his achievements at Carlisle Utd and what he achieved year last which was his first time in the championship.

Posted 23:54 13th November 2007

Andrew Swarbrick (Preston North End fan) says...

Simpson was undone by his results, he came from a lower league and struggled with Preston. We have been so lucky at Preston recently considering our lack of money and unfortunately that luck ran out for Paul and his stay. I am glad to see measured comments here I'd like to say I am disgusted by the moronic views of some supporters, especially those who use the LEP comment sections and have made insulting and personal attacks on Simpson. They constantly hide behind the excuse of "everyone is entitled to an opinion" and "we pay the wages". Maybe we should start an opinion board for their job rolls. Its one thing to say results and tactics are CONSIDERED bad but quite another to make personal attacks and outrageous claims such as hes the worse manager we've ever had. Thanks Geoff for going on Sky and making North Enders look like idiots. I am appalled. Derek Shaw isn't so bad after all if that is the is the level of "intelligence". We may live to regret this over the next 2 years, depending who we appoint. Anyway good luck Paul, I apologies for the terrible treatment you have had.

Posted 23:43 13th November 2007

Jock Apple says...

I've been a North End fan for year and this is the worst team i've seen. Simpson had to go!!! The team had no spirt under Simpson and it would have been league 1 football next season if he had stayed.We can only go forward now he has gone! Pay the money and get Paul Jewell in.

Posted 23:09 13th November 2007

Gary B (Preston North End fan) says...

Jeff, you really couldn't be more wrong. Derek Shaw certainly gave Simpson money to spend in the summer - Nicholls and Carter 2 examples. Paul Simpson has had chance after chance, and our form this year has been completely unacceptable. Couple this with his inept tactics, team selection, man management and his endless excuses (inclding blaming the fans and Elvis!) then he certainly HAD to go. Good riddance.

Posted 23:07 13th November 2007

Brenda Leyland says...

Simpson was not good enough to take Preston any where, neither will his sucsessor be. Not until the board find both money and ambition will they ever regain the top flight status they lost in the early 60's. In 40yrs of following this club, I have seen no sign of any desire from any board to actually join the elite. Sack the board and find someone who is prepared to give the city a team to be proud of and the money to spend. Jewel is availab;e - but he does not have a magic wand - money North End - and now please. Stop being scared of sucsess

Posted 23:02 13th November 2007

Paul Swallow (Preston North End fan) says...

I don't think it's anyone's fault. We consistently have to sell any player who shows talent...Derek Shaw is just trying to keep the club viable...a thankless task...Simmo probably raised expectations too much by doing very well last season despite the poor finish...a word on the fans....lose 2,000 fans at the first sign of difficulty? We don't deserve to reach the premiership with such fickle support. I just don't understand fans who stay away because of the manager and in the same breath call themselves supporters.

Posted 22:19 13th November 2007

Spencer Davies (Barnsley fan) says...

Disgrace I say. Preston played better than Barnsley at Oakwell and we got away with it, For him to get sacked 2,3 games later is a Disgrace. It's got to a point where managers these days are getting sacked all over the shop. It needs to stop and clubs need stability. Best Of Luck Paul For The Future

Posted 21:30 13th November 2007

Chris Shaw (Preston North End fan) says...

Thanks for your efforts Paul, but you were out of your depth. Best of luck; I reckon you will still have a career at management, just not at PNE.

Posted 17:38 13th November 2007

Rob Walsh (Preston North End fan) says...

This is good news for all Preston fans. The team was moving in the wrong direction and the players brought were not good enough! I'd like to see Simpson's replacement be Martin Allen though there are a few other names being mentioned.

Posted 17:28 13th November 2007

Tom Simpson (Preston North End fan) says...

I like Paul Simpson as a manager and as a bloke, what he did at his previous clubs before coming to Deepdale was remarkable, but this season there has been no spirit within the team, no fight. Graham Alexander left which i thought may give the team a kick up the back side and give Simpson some authority but nothing got any better and it was inevitable in the end. I wish him every success in the future.

Posted 17:25 13th November 2007

Jeff Lambert (Arsenal fan) says...

I think that Paul Simpson should have been given more time. I think that it is Derek Shaw's fault why Preston are in that position. He hasn't given Simpson any money to spend to replace players like Nugent.

Posted 17:19 13th November 2007
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