Preston North End near appointment of Graham Alexander as manager
What Happened
Preston North End are reportedly close to appointing Bradford City boss Graham Alexander as their new manager, according to BBC Sport. The club’s interest follows the dismissal of Paul Heckingbottom earlier this month after a poor start to the Championship campaign.
Bradford’s Permission
Bradford City issued a statement on Thursday confirming that they had “reluctantly” granted the 54‐year‐old Alexander permission to speak with the struggling Championship side, as reported by BBC Sport. The statement indicates that the club is cooperating with the negotiation process.
Alexander’s Playing History with Preston
Alexander’s connection to Preston runs deep; he made 372 league appearances for the Deepdale side across two spells as a player, according to BBC Sport. His extensive experience with the club is seen as a potential advantage should he return in a managerial capacity.
Recent Success at Bradford
Since taking over at Valley Parade in November 2023, Alexander has guided Bradford City to the top of League One with five wins from their first seven games of the season, per BBC Sport. He also secured promotion from League Two in his first full season in charge and led the Bantams to a fourth‐place finish in League One in the 2025‐26 campaign before they were eliminated by Bolton Wanderers in the play‐offs, as reported by BBC Sport.
Managerial Experience
Beyond his tenure at Bradford, Alexander’s résumé includes spells in charge of Fleetwood, Scunthorpe, Salford, Motherwell and MK Dons, according to BBC Sport. He is currently contracted to Bradford City until the end of next season, a detail confirmed by the same source.
Preston’s Current Situation
Preston sit second from bottom in the Championship table after losing six of their first seven league matches, according to BBC Sport. The club’s recent form prompted the sacking of Paul Heckingbottom earlier this month, creating the vacancy that Alexander is being considered for.
Upcoming Fixtures
Preston are set to host Millwall on Saturday 10 October in their first game after the international break, as noted by BBC Sport. Bradford’s next League One fixture is scheduled for 3 October at Reading, while their weekend match against Barnsley has been postponed due to international call‐ups, per BBC Sport.
Why It Matters
If Alexander moves to Preston, he would return to a club where he enjoyed a lengthy playing career, potentially bringing familiarity and proven leadership to a side in need of stability. His recent success in guiding Bradford to early-season dominance in League One suggests he could provide the tactical overhaul Preston requires to climb out of the relegation zone, according to BBC Sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the status of the managerial appointment? Preston North End are reported to be closing in on appointing Graham Alexander, as confirmed by BBC Sport.
Why did Bradford allow Alexander to speak with Preston? Bradford released a statement saying they had “reluctantly” given permission, indicating cooperation with the process, per BBC Sport.
What experience does Alexander bring to Preston? He has 372 league appearances for Preston as a player, has managed multiple clubs including Bradford, and achieved promotion from League Two and a top‐four finish in League One, according to BBC Sport.
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