"Nobody wants to be dismissed, but sometimes you have to accept it. You feel the sting, and wherever I land next, they'll get an improved version of Ryan Lowe," Ryan Lowe said, acknowledging the harsh reality of football management.
It is remarkable that Lowe only faced termination in his fourth senior coaching appointment, a rarity in the modern game. Lowe's résumé includes guiding Bury and Plymouth Argyle to promotion from League Two, followed by a spell at Preston North End where he felt the club consistently over‑performed in the Championship. "It was a demanding role," Lowe explained on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast. "In the 2024‑25 season we aimed simply to survive, and we managed 13 points from the first dozen games, comfortably securing our place.
The following season we wanted to build on that, but our budget was based on figures from two years earlier, which made it extremely tough to compete." He continued, "We missed out on several targets because larger clubs could offer better terms and higher‑quality players. We started the campaign well, but then we lost Ryan Trevitt – a key creative spark.
The squad was built around his vision, and his departure hurt us. Injuries piled up and a few key performance indicators slipped, but that’s not an excuse.
There were decisions I could have handled better, and I share that responsibility with the staff around me." Lowe described the moment of his dismissal as his first and, hopefully, his last. "The results weren’t great, the performances were average, the statistics were decent, but we lacked cutting‑edge finishing. I understand why the board acted, even if it hurts." Before Wigan, Lowe had overseen Preston’s impressive Championship runs, delivering two top‑half finishes in his full seasons.
He believes the club’s recent difficulties highlight how well he performed there. His successor, Paul Heckingbottom, was also sacked after a season that saw the team finish 14th. "Hecky kept us up in his first year, but he lost his job later. He’s a fantastic manager, yet football can be unforgiving," Lowe remarked.
When asked about criticism of his playing style, Lowe said, "People will always debate tactics, but what I learned in the Championship – watching managers we faced – was the need to adapt. I’m proud of what we achieved on limited resources. You can’t simply walk into any club and claim you’ll match the likes of Norwich.
We once played Norwich in a 5‑4‑1, held them to a 0‑0 draw away – that was a point well earned." Lowe does, however, regret the timing of his departure from Preston. "Leaving after just one game of the 2024‑25 season wasn’t ideal. I had to think about my family’s security, and pre‑season discussions with chairman Peter Ridsdale hinted that the board wasn’t satisfied with our finish. After a 2‑0 loss to Sheffield United on opening day, I couldn’t sleep – I kept questioning whether I was giving the fans and players what they deserved." He added, "We reached a gentleman’s agreement.
The club didn’t want me to go, but I felt poorly advised and followed my gut to leave. In hindsight I should have stayed a few more games; if I’d been sacked, the outcome would have been the same. I felt I’d taken the project as far as possible given the financial constraints and squad quality. The club’s subsequent results have proven my concerns right, and the only real regret is the timing of my exit." Looking ahead, Lowe is eager to return to a stable football environment, preferring a long‑term project over a short‑term firefighting role.
"Even at Wigan I signed a three‑and‑a‑half‑year contract, only to be dismissed in under a year," he noted. "Wherever I go next, they’ll get the best version of me because I’m determined to bounce back from this setback. I don’t want a job where I’m just a rescue manager for ten or fifteen games; I want longevity and the chance to build something lasting." Lowe emphasized his experience, now tallying 380 managerial games, many in the Championship. "I’m looking for a club with solid ownership and a sporting director who shares my vision.
My CV speaks for itself, and I’m ready to contribute to a project that aligns with my philosophy." In summary, Ryan Lowe’s career has been marked by promotions, over‑achievement on modest budgets, and a recent, abrupt dismissal at Wigan. While he acknowledges mistakes and regrets, particularly the premature departure from Preston, he remains confident in his managerial abilities. His next move will likely be driven by a desire for stability, a supportive hierarchy, and the opportunity to apply the lessons learned from both his successes and setbacks.