Former manager sacked

Former Dale boss Paul Simpson has been sacked from his position as manager of Preston North End after a poor start to the season left them at the wrong end of the table.

The writing had been on the wall for Simmo since the weekend's 3-0 defeat at Hull City, when the PNE board issued a statement detailing how they were "very disappointed with the performance and result". That result left PNE just one place above the relegation zone, and two places below local rivals Blackpool.

It's been a disappointing start to the season, with just three wins all season for Simpson's men having finished in a more than respectable 8th position last year. However, the sale of David Nugent in the Summer for £7 million hit the team hard, and without a single penny spent, they were always going to be up against it.

Simpson left Spotland in the Summer of 2003 after a mixed season at Dale. Despite reaching the 5th Round of the FA Cup, the team dropped from 5th position in the League Table in 2001-2 to 19th the following season - the biggest drop in League position in the club's history in a season, where he earned more money for the club through the Cup run than in any other season.

After leaving Dale, he managed Carlisle where after an initial relegation to the Conference, he led them back to the Football League at the first attempt, and then winning the League Two championship straight away, ironically securing the title at Spotland.

Paul Simpson (player profile)
Paul Simpson (manager profile)

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