Graham alexander has been appointed manager of Preston North End, returning to the club where he spent much of his playing career. The 54-year-old leaves Bradford City to take charge at Deepdale and said it was a “special feeling” to be named manager.
- Graham Alexander has been appointed Preston North End manager and called it a "special feeling".
- Alexander returns to Deepdale having made hundreds of appearances for the club as a player and will be joined by assistant Chris Lucketti.
- His first scheduled match in charge is Preston v Millwall at Deepdale on 10 October.
What is confirmed
Preston North End have appointed Graham Alexander as their new manager, replacing Paul Heckingbottom, who was sacked after a run of poor results early in the championship campaign. Alexander will be joined by his assistant Chris Lucketti, a former Preston team-mate.
The club is second bottom of the Championship with four points from eight matches, and Alexander’s first game as permanent manager is scheduled to be at home to Millwall on Saturday 10 October, according to the reporting.
Alexander’s connection to Preston
Alexander enjoyed a long playing career at Deepdale across two spells. Reporting notes he made roughly 372 league appearances for Preston as a player and scored 64 goals in 400 appearances overall, contributions that included helping the club win the old Second Division title in 1999–2000. He also had a brief caretaker managerial spell at Preston in 2011–12.
Those links informed his response to the appointment: “It’s a special feeling to be named manager of this football club. After speaking to Preston, I knew this was the place I wanted to be,” he told the club website.
Why Preston chose Alexander
The club’s recruitment highlighted Alexander’s playing background and broad managerial experience across the English leagues and in Scotland. His recent spell at Bradford City included promotion from League Two in 2024–25 and a play-off campaign the following season; Bradford were top of League One at the time Preston approached him. Reporting states Preston chairman Ian Penrose cited Alexander’s knowledge of the game and “deep affection for the club” as decisive factors.
What Alexander achieved at Bradford
Alexander was appointed Bradford manager in November 2023. He led the Bantams to promotion from League Two in his first full season and the side finished fourth in League One in 2025–26 before losing in the play-offs to Bolton Wanderers. Sources say Bradford confirmed they had “reluctantly” allowed Alexander to speak to Preston.
Immediate context and significance
Preston replaced Heckingbottom after six defeats in their first seven league fixtures. Alexander arrives with the task of stabilising a club now sitting 23rd in the Championship and aiming to climb away from the relegation zone. His appointment is presented as a “homecoming” and a chance to build on the club history he established as a player while applying the managerial record he developed at other clubs.
What comes next
- Alexander’s first scheduled match in charge is Preston v Millwall at Deepdale on 10 October.
- He and assistant Chris Lucketti will inherit a squad that began the season poorly and must turn performance around in the Championship.
- Bradford City issued a statement thanking Alexander and Lucketti for their work and noted the pair had left the club in a stronger position than when they arrived.
Timeline of recent events (as reported)
- November 2023 – Alexander appointed Bradford City manager (reporting of his tenure begins).
- 2024–25 season – Alexander led Bradford to promotion from League Two (reported).
- 2025–26 season – Bradford finished fourth in League One and lost to Bolton Wanderers in the play-offs (reported).
- Early 2026–27 season – Preston lost six of their opening seven Championship matches and sacked Paul Heckingbottom (reported).
- 25 September 2026 – Reporting states Preston appointed Alexander as manager (BBC and other outlets).
- 10 October 2026 – Alexander’s first scheduled game as permanent Preston manager, at home to Millwall (reported).
How the reports differ
All supplied sources agree on the core facts: Alexander has been appointed Preston manager, he previously had a lengthy playing career at Deepdale, and Chris Lucketti will join him. Small variations appear in the phrasing of career totals and timelines: one source reports 372 league appearances for Preston, another gives a broader figure of 400 appearances and 64 goals across his Preston career. These are consistent in portraying a long-term playing association with the club but differ in exact counts; both figures are attributed in the coverage.
Practical implications for Preston fans
Supporters can expect a manager with deep ties to the club and a track record of winning promotion at lower-league level. Alexander inherits a side in urgent need of improved results and will be judged on immediate league performances and the ability to steady the team. His appointment also reunites the club with a familiar coaching pairing in Alexander and Lucketti.
Key takeaways
- Graham Alexander has been appointed Preston North End manager, describing the move as a “special feeling.”
- He returns after a long playing career at Deepdale and brings substantial managerial experience from clubs including Bradford City.
- Alexander’s first match in charge is scheduled at Deepdale against Millwall on 10 October.
Reporting used: BBC Sport and national outlets that covered the appointment and Alexander’s playing and managerial record.