Preston North End sack head coach Frankie McAvoy

Preston North End have sacked head coach Frankie McAvoy with the club sitting in 18th position in the Championship.

Having made a positive impact as interim boss at the end of last season, McAvoy was handed the reins on a permanent basis.

However, Preston have won just six of their 21 league fixtures this season, and the 54-year-old departs Deepdale having recorded 14 victories from his 33 games in all competitions

An official statement read: "Frankie stepped in earlier this year to assist us, initially in an interim role, before taking up the position of head coach. His first eight games at the end of last season were a huge success but this season we have struggled for consistency.

"Ultimately it is a results business and results to date have not met our expectations, we have therefore decided to make a change at this time.

"Frankie is an honest, hard-working person who deserves to succeed and he leaves us with our grateful thanks and best wishes for the future. He will always be welcome back at Deepdale at any time."

Preston are next in action when they play host to Barnsley on Saturday afternoon.