We take a look at the contenders to be the next manager of Preston North End after it was confirmed Paul Heckingbottom has been sacked.
Preston showed plenty of promise in the first half of last season but their campaign fizzled out as they finished 14th in the Championship.
Heckingbottom lost six of his first seven fixtures this season and his departure was confirmed just 24 hours after his side lost 1-0 at home to Lincoln City last weekend.
Here are our top five contenders to be the next Preston manager...
Next Preston Manager Contenders
Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane has led Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ferencvaros to the league title in Israel and Hungary respectively.
He is currently looking for a new role after leaving Ferencvaros at the end of last season.
Keane has been linked with variety of jobs in English football and he is believed to be on Preston's radar.
Tom Cleverley
Former Watford boss Tom Cleverley is performing well in his role as Plymouth Argyle manager.
After a difficult start to last season, Cleverley almost guided the Pilgrims into the League One play-offs.
Plymouth have made a good start to the new campaign and Cleverley is one of the names on Preston's shortlist.
Graham Alexander
Bradford City manager Graham Alexander made over 400 appearances for Preston during his playing career.
He's earned his stripes as a manager after leading Bradford to promotion from League Two, before reaching the play-offs in League One last season.
A potential appointment would be a popular one at Deepdale if he can be tempted away from the Bantams.
Lee Grant
Lee Grant only took charge of Walsall in the summer but he is already said to be attracting interest.
The Saddlers have made an unbeaten start to the new League Two season and they are currently second in the table.
It is a testament to the start Grant has made that he is already been viewed as a potential candidate for a Championship job.
Dave Challinor
Former Stockport County boss Dave Challinor could have plenty of suitors in the EFL in the coming weeks.
Incredibly, he has achieved a play-off finish or better in each of his 15 full seasons as a manager.
He departed Stockport following their League One play-off final defeat to Bolton Wanderers in May.
