Source: Liverpool_Echo
Ex-Everton assistant boss Alan Irvine sacked by Preston North End
Preston have sacked manager Alan Irvine - little more than six months after he guided them into the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs.[LNB]The former Everton assistant boss has won many admirers since being appointed at Deepdale in November 2007 and they claimed a top-six finish last season.[LNB]Yet the Lancashire outfit have struggled badly in recent weeks and chairman Derek Shaw decided to swing the axe after yesterday's 1-0 loss at Sheffield United left North End with just one win in their last 10 league outings.[LNB]Shaw said: 'The decision was not taken lightly. [LNB]"Alan did an extremely good job in keeping us in the Championship and took us to the play-offs last season.[LNB]'However, after a good start to the 2009/10 campaign we have only picked up seven points from a possible 30 since our last away victory against Sheffield Wednesday on October 20.[LNB]'In that period we have only scored six goals and that sort of record is not something we could allow to continue without addressing it.'
