Everton Legend To Become Preston Boss?
With Preston North End entering their second week of their manager search as more names continue to get linked with the role.
After Paul Heckingbottom’s sacking on September 13, the Lancashire club has been extensively looking through candidates to appoint the right man to try and salvage the club’s season before it gets any worse.
Graham Alexander is the favourite for the role so far, with the Bradford boss massively liked within the club and the fanbase, but whether he will sacrifice his work at Valley Parade to try and stop a sinking Preston ship is yet to be soon.
Robbie Keane, Tom Cleverley, and Dave Challinor have also been linked with the vacant hot seat, with Keane being touted as the main contender for the job with Alexander.
Within Preston North End’s reported 50 man shortlist is a name that could be a major surprise if he managed to get the job, Everton legend and first-team coach Leighton Baines.
Joining the club in 2007, the former left-back has been omnipresent at Everton for nearly two decades as a player and now as one of David Moyes’ assistant mangers, alongside another former Preston boss Alan Irvine.
The 41-year old started his coaching career at the Toffees as a professional development coach in the Everton academy, where he thoroughly impressed the U-23’s manager David Unsworth – another former Preston coach and interim manager – particularly with Baines’ presence, believing it to have a positive impact on the younger players coming through.
After Sean Dyche left the club in January 2025, Baines temporarily took over as interim manager where he took charge of Everton’s F.A. Cup third round tie against Peterborough United, winning 2-0 as he was partnered by Seamus Coleman in the dugout that day.
David Moyes kept Mr. Everton on as his assistant alongside Alan Irvine, aiding the club to survival for two seasons in a row and now has the Toffees flying in the Premier League after an impressive start to the season.
How much influence he has isn’t really quantifiable, he’s had a taste of senior management and it’s the inexperience that would make Baines such a risky appointment at this time.
To potentially jeopardise his career before it has be begun would be incredible unfair to the Scouser, however, if he interviews for the role and succeeds, then that must mean the Preston hierarchy see something to make them incredibly confident in his unproven abilities.