Preston North End have parted company with manager Ryan Lowe after just one match of the Championship season.

Lowe has left the club following their 2-0 defeat at home to Sheffield United on Friday night.

The 45-year-old had been in charge at Deepdale since December 2021 when he joined from Plymouth.

But despite finishing in 13th, 12th and 10th, he has departed after discussions with the club’s board on Sunday.

In a statement,, external the club said it was “mutually agreed that now was an appropriate time for a change to be made.

“Ryan leaves with the thanks of everyone at the club for his hard work, dedication and commitment, and we wish him and his family the very best for the future.”

Lowe’s assistant Mike Marsh has been placed in interim charge for this week’s matches against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and away to Swansea City on Saturday.

Lowe’s stock was high when he arrived in Lancashire from Plymouth Argyle over two and a half years ago to replace Scot Frankie McAvoy.

The Liverpool-born manager had won promotion with both Bury and Plymouth out of League Two and Argyle were riding high in League One when he left to take up the challenge at Preston.

They were 18th in the Championship at the time and an impressive return of 39 points from his 25 games led them up to 13th.

He improved on that by one place in the next season, eventually finishing six points shy of the top six.

However, that campaign was marked by a serious lack of goals. North End managed just 45 across the season.

Five of their first six games finished 0-0, while it took them until the 13th game to score more than once in a match.

More to follow.