ST JOHNSTONE manager Callum Davidson has been installed as one of the favourites for the vacant Preston job.
North End parted company with manager Frankie McAvoy this evening following a poor string of results.
He leaves with the Deepdale club sitting 18th in the SkyBet Championship, with just one win in their last five games. They are just nine points clear of the relegation zone.
A Preston spokesperson said: "Preston North End Football Club can confirm that Frankie McAvoy has left his position as head coach.
"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.
"The club will now look to appoint a new manager to take the club forward and a further update will be provided in due course."
And Saints gaffer Davidson is in the frame to take over from McAvoy.
Bookmakers SkyBet have Davidson in at 7/2, making him second favourite for the gig.
Michael Carrick - fresh from leaving Manchester United last Thursday - is the early frontrunner at 3/1 at the time of writing.
Plymouth's Ryan Lowe is just behind Davidson at 4/1, with the recently sacked Ipswich manager Paul Cook out at 8s.
Gareth Ainsworth is priced at 10/1, while those who think John Terry may get his first job in management can back him at 12/1 currently.
Davidson has carried out a superb job during his time at the helm of McDiarmid Park.
He famously guided the Perth outfit to a League & Scottish Cup double last term. This also earned them a spot in the Europa League & Europea Conference League summer qualifiers where they came up against Galatasaray and LASK.
St Johnstone currently sit 10th in the Premiership so far this campaign.
Bottom club Ross County trail by just three points, however, the teams are due to play each other in a game in hand.
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