Ryan Lowe has explained why Preston North End released 13 players this summer.

The Lilywhites boss believes that places in the squad won’t be easily handed out during his tenure at the club.

The likes of Tom Barkhuizen and Paul Huntington did not have their contracts renewed.

Izzy Brown and Josh Murphy had their time end early, with a further nine players also being released by the club.

While some were surprised at just how many were let go by the Lancashire club, the 43-year old spoke on the Finney podcast that it has all been the nature of the business.

He hopes that this can be a productive window for the club and that Preston can bring in adequate replacements to improve the squad.

"To be successful you have to be ruthless, in the nicest possible way,” said Lowe, via Lancs Live.

"I made a few changes early doors when I came in - I moved on one or two players who weren't needed, sent players out on loan who needed to get game time and released players before the season finished, because I felt I needed to.

"Come the end of the season, Preston has probably been a bit too nice over the years, just saying 'oh we'll just give an extra year'. 

“Well what is the point of giving out an extra year just because they are good lads? 

“They've got to make a contribution first and foremost and there were a lot of players in there, who we've released, who play a different style.”

Preston will be hoping to improve on their 13th place finish in the Championship table next season.

It will be a busy summer ahead as Lowe looks to shape the squad to his liking.

The Englishman took over the role of manager midway through the campaign, so this will be his first real chance to have an influence on the transfer business at the club.

The Verdict

Releasing 13 players is a ruthless decision but it does indicate that this is the beginning of the next evolution of this PNE squad.

Lowe has done well and steered the team towards a comfortable mid-table finish during his time with the team so far.

This will be a very interesting summer for Preston as they will now have to sign a number of players just to fill out the squad.

But if they can bring in quality replacements to those who left then the team could be well placed to challenge for the play-offs next season.