Preston North End are close to confirming Graham Alexander as their new head coach after Bradford City granted the 54-year-old permission to speak to the championship club, sources reporting on 24–26 September say.
- Bradford City granted Graham Alexander permission to speak to Preston.
- BBC Sport reports Preston have appointed Alexander and expect him to take charge for the 10 October home game vs Millwall.
- Alexander and assistant Chris Lucketti are reported to be moving to Deepdale; Bradford described their departure as "reluctant."
- Preston replaced Paul Heckingbottom after a poor start to the Championship season and sit second bottom in the table.
What’s confirmed so far
Multiple reports state Bradford City provided permission for Alexander to hold talks with Preston. Bradford described the decision as made “reluctantly” and issued a brief statement saying they would make no further comment. Local reporting indicated Preston expected to unveil Alexander within “the next couple of days.”
BBC Sport reports that Preston have appointed Alexander as their new manager, replacing Paul Heckingbottom, who was sacked after a poor start to the Championship season. That account says Alexander will be joined at Deepdale by his assistant and former Preston team-mate Chris Lucketti and that Alexander’s first game as permanent Preston boss would be at home to Millwall on Saturday 10 October.
Background on Graham Alexander and the clubs involved
Alexander, 54, has a long association with Preston: he made 372 league appearances for the club across two spells as a player and had a brief caretaker managerial stint at Deepdale in 2011–12, according to reporting. His managerial résumé includes spells at Bradford City (appointed November 2023), Fleetwood Town, Scunthorpe United, Salford City, Motherwell and MK Dons.
At Bradford, Alexander won promotion from League Two in his first full season and led the club to a fourth-place finish in League One in 2025–26, losing to Bolton Wanderers in the play-offs, according to BBC coverage. Bradford were top of League One after seven matches in the current season when they confirmed they had allowed Alexander to speak to Preston.
Why this matters for Preston
Preston sit second bottom of the Championship with four points from eight matches, and the club moved to replace Paul Heckingbottom following six defeats in their opening seven league games, reporting indicates. Bringing in a manager with an established connection to Deepdale and recent success at Bradford represents a clear attempt to steady results and reconnect with the club’s recent identity.
What remains unconfirmed
- The clubs have not published a joint formal announcement specifying the timing of an unveiling; local reporting suggested an announcement could follow within days.
- No official statements in the evidence packet provide contract details, fees, or formal confirmation of the assistant coaching appointments beyond media reports.
- Any transfer, staff restructuring or tactical plans Alexander may implement at Preston have not been detailed in the sources provided.
Immediate next steps and fixtures
According to BBC reporting, Alexander’s first scheduled match as permanent Preston manager would be the Championship home fixture against Millwall on Saturday 10 October. Media coverage also indicates an imminent club unveiling is expected; until Preston issue an official statement, the situation should be treated as pending confirmation.
Timeline (from sources)
- 24 September: Reports begin after Preston approach Alexander; Bradford City confirm they have been approached and grant permission for talks (as reported by Yahoo Sports/Hayters TV and mirrored in local coverage).
- 25–26 September: Local reporting and BBC Sport indicate Alexander is expected to be unveiled imminently, with BBC stating Preston have appointed Alexander and naming his likely first game in charge.
How fans and clubs have reacted (reported)
Bradford’s chief executive called Alexander’s tenure at Valley Parade a positive one in a club statement, saying he and his staff left the club in a “much stronger position than the one they inherited” and expressing gratitude for their achievements (as reported by BBC Sport). Local reporting from Bradford described fan disappointment at losing a popular manager, while Preston coverage framed the move as a “homecoming” given Alexander’s playing history at Deepdale.
Bottom line
Reliable reports indicate Preston North End have moved to appoint Graham Alexander, with Bradford City confirming they allowed him to speak to the Championship club. BBC Sport presents the appointment as done and sets a first-match date, while local outlets say an official unveiling at Preston is expected within days. Until Preston publish an official statement, some details remain pending.