Graham Alexander has returned to Preston North End as manager, taking over after the departure of Paul Heckingbottom. Alexander, 54, rejoins the club 14 years after retiring as a player, having previously made 372 appearances for the team across two spells.

He replaces Heckingbottom, who was dismissed following a poor start to the Championship season that saw Preston lose six of their first seven league matches. The club is seeking stability and improvement under Alexander’s leadership.

Alexander comes to Deepdale after leaving his position as manager of Bradford City. During his time with the Bantams, he guided the club to promotion to League One in the 2024-25 season and secured a strong start to the current campaign, with Bradford sitting at the top of the league table.

Reflecting on his return, Alexander described the appointment as a “special feeling,” highlighting his positive experiences as a player at Preston and expressing enthusiasm about his new role.

Preston North End now faces the challenge of turning around their early-season struggles in the Championship under Alexander’s guidance as he aims to replicate his previous successes in management.