Preston North End
‘Same old same old’ – Many Preston fans react to claim from key club figure on potential Alex Neil replacement

A number of Preston North End fans have been reacting to comments made by Peter Risdale that the Lilywhites are going to hand the chance to interim head coach Frank McAvoy to get the job on a permanent basis.
Preston decided to part company with Alex Neil on Sunday, with the Lilywhites having slumped to 16th place in the table after a run of just one win in their last nine Championship matches. The Lilywhites have struggled to find any consistency throughout the campaign and have not been able to build on last term, where they challenged for the top-six until the end-of-season run-in.
The Lilywhites will now be looking to appoint a long-term successor to Neil and it is an appointment the club need to get right if they are going to be able to challenge for promotion to the Premier League in the next few seasons. The decision has been made to place McAvoy in interim charge for the foreseeable future as they weigh up their potential managerial options.
“Preston
Speaking to the Lancashire Post, Risdale has now suggested that McAvoy will be being given the chance to see if he can impress and earn the job on a permanent basis with him suggesting that they might look to follow Brentford’s model of replacing a manager from within as the Bees did when they gave the job to Thomas Frank.
He said: “Frankie and the coaching team will take things on for the rest of the season.
“I would like to think that will work. You look at Brentford who have promoted from within and have done very well.
“We don’t want a revolution here. “Frankie will be given the chance to get the job longer-term.
“We need some points and once we’ve got those, we can breath and see what we want to do.”
Many Preston fans were left bemused by this latest comment and suggested that appointing McAvoy permanently would not be the best decision for the club with him not being able to implement the changes they needed from Neil’s tenure.
Here, we take a look at some of the best reactions on social media…
Do we not need a fresh change.. isn't FM to close to AN .. been together among time
— Rick Robinson (@LeylandRick) March 21, 2021
Considering how close FM has been to AN for so long I can't envisage much change in approach/tactics/selection but who knows. Let's hope it does!!
— Mick Porter (@Mick_Porter) March 21, 2021
Let's see what he can do I'll judge him on what he can do i know nothing on his coaching ability
— Dean Kirkham (@23Kirkham) March 21, 2021
Very disappointed with this but let's give him a chance first
— Daniel critchley (@critchblackpool) March 21, 2021
In other words the cheap alternative who will be happy to 'coach' the players Ridsdale signs
— Tim Coldrick (@TimColdrick) March 21, 2021
Same old same old then.
— Ollie (@Ollie87040600) March 21, 2021
Please no https://t.co/AOB0p27Bkx
— Kerry (@MissC2020) March 21, 2021
Of course Peter goes for the cheap route.
I'm fine with him being in charge for the rest of the season but not full time after that https://t.co/hEnC2zmBRM— Leon Bentley (@VRT_Leon) March 21, 2021