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Preston North End and manager Ryan Lowe have parted ways only one match into the new Championship season. The Lilywhites’ 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Friday evening proved to be Lowe’s last act in the job.

The 45-year-old previously held the top post at Bury and Plymouth Argyle before being appointed Preston boss in 2021. He led them to mid-table finishes in three consecutive second-tier campaigns, although they finished last season with a goalless five-match losing streak.

The club’s statement reads: “Preston North End can confirm that manager Ryan Lowe has left the club by mutual consent. Ryan joined the club in December 2021, leading us to 13th, 12th and 10th-placed finishes in his two and a half seasons as the club’s first team manager.

“Following discussions that took place on Sunday 11th August, 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.

“For the two upcoming fixtures against Sunderland and Swansea City this week, Mike Marsh – accompanied by Peter Murphy and Ched Evans – will be in charge of the team. Arrangements beyond these two fixtures will be announced next week.”

Only Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth, who were hammered 4-0 by Sheffield Wednesday, are below Preston following the opening weekend of the season. Fans will hope that the makeshift coaching team of Marsh, Murphy and Evans can help to steady the ship over the coming weeks.

Lowe’s assessment of the Sheffield United defeat suggests that he fully expected to be given the chance to turn things around. “We are not going to dwell on it,” he said.

“We have lost to an ex-Premier League team, which has come down. We gave them a run for their money. Was it good enough at the top end, to get more chances? No, we know that, and we need to be better overall with our decision making.

“It is constructive criticism, which we will speak about on Sunday with the lads. We have to stick together and keep doing the right things. I have seen some good signs tonight, as I saw over pre-season.”