Preston are closing in on making Plymouth Argyle boss Ryan Lowe their new manager – but Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth was also a target.
That’s according to Football Insider, who claim that an agreement is now in place for Lowe to come in.
However, Preston did also consider a move for Wycombe Wanderers boss Ainsworth according to that report.
Football Insider claim that Ainsworth was wanted at Deepdale, but Preston didn’t like the compensation involved.
It’s unclear just how much it would have cost to get Ainsworth out of Wycombe but North End allegedly weren’t keen.
That means Lowe is now the clear first choice for Preston, with Ainsworth missing out on a return to Deepdale.
Ainsworth, 48, spent three spells with Preston as a player and would have had a strong connection with fans had he returned.
Ainsworth has now spent almost 10 years in charge of Wycombe Wanderers, managing nearly 500 games.
Against all odds, Ainsworth took Wycombe into the Championship in 2020 and almost kept Wanderers up last season.
His direct style of play may not have entertained fans, but Ainsworth’s incredible work at Wycombe can’t be ignored.
Many would probably prefer Lowe over Ainsworth anyway, but it’s suggested that North End had a look into a Deepdale return.
Whilst we understand Lowe is the top target, we have heard nothing about interest in Ainsworth. As a completely different profile to Lowe, it doesn’t quite join up for Preston.