"Nobody enjoys being dismissed, but sometimes it’s inevitable. You have to absorb the disappointment and understand that wherever I land next, the club will benefit from a more refined version of Ryan Lowe," he said. It’s remarkable that it took Ryan Lowe four managerial appointments before he faced the sack, a rarity in today’s fast‑moving football world. 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 team consistently over‑performed in the Championship.
"It was a challenging role," Lowe explained on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast. "In the 2024‑25 season we set out simply to consolidate and avoid relegation. We scraped together 13 points from the first dozen games, which was enough to keep us up, and we did that comfortably. "The following campaign we wanted to build on that foundation and we believed we had a budget that could compete.
In reality the figures we were given were based on a two‑year‑old model, so it was a constant battle. "We missed out on a number of targets because other clubs simply had deeper pockets and could attract higher‑quality players.
That put us at a disadvantage. "We started the season well, really well. Then we lost Ryan Trevitt – a pivotal, creative force for us.
The side had been built around his vision and his departure left a noticeable void. "Injuries piled up and a few key performance indicators slipped, but I’m not looking for excuses. There were plenty of decisions I could have handled better, and I recognise that, as did many of my colleagues.
"Being sacked was tough – it was my first dismissal and I hope it will be my last. I understood the reasoning.
The results weren’t spectacular, the performances were decent, the statistics were acceptable, and we were still creating chances, but we lacked the clinical edge in front of goal." Before his brief stint at Wigan, Lowe had been at Preston, where he consistently out‑performed expectations in the second tier, securing two top‑half finishes across his full seasons in charge. He remains convinced that the club’s recent difficulties underscore just how impressive his tenure was. His successor, Paul Heckingbottom, was relieved of his duties last month. "The year I left, Hecky managed to keep the side up on the final day.
Last season he finished 14th," Lowe continued. "He’s an excellent manager and yet he lost his job. "Critics may question the style of play, but what I learned in the Championship – watching the clubs we faced – was the importance of adaptability. "Deep down I know I did a solid job there.
That opinion matters only to me and to my own belief that I can over‑achieve with limited resources. "You can’t simply walk into any club and claim you’ll match the likes of Norwich’s squad. We once travelled to Carrow Road, set up a 5‑4‑1, and came away with a 0‑0 draw – a point earned away from home was a respectable result." One regret Lowe admits is the timing of his departure from Preston.
He acknowledges that leaving after just one league game of the 2024‑25 season was ill‑timed. "I do regret walking out after the opening match," he confessed.
"I felt I needed to protect my family at that moment. "During pre‑season I mulled the decision and had a candid conversation with chairman Peter Ridsdale. A statement had been released at the end of the previous season saying the results weren’t good enough for where the club wanted to be. "We lost 2‑0 to Sheffield United on day one.
The goals were sloppy, I lay awake that night wondering if I could still give the club what they deserved. They pay me a substantial salary – was I delivering for the supporters?
For the players? "We reached a gentleman’s agreement. They didn’t really want me to quit, but I felt I wasn’t being advised properly, to be honest. "My gut told me to go, to act immediately.
In hindsight I should have waited a few more games. If I’d been sacked, it would have happened anyway and the outcome would have been the same.
"I felt I had taken the project as far as it could go with the budget and squad we had. "The subsequent seasons have proved my concerns right – the club has struggled to replicate those finishes. My only real regret is the timing of my exit." Looking ahead, Lowe says he is eager to return to the game, but he wants a genuine project rather than a short‑term rescue mission – something he has turned down in the past.
Even at Wigan he was offered a three‑and‑a‑half‑year contract, only to be dismissed less than a year later. "Wherever I land next, the club will get the best version of Ryan Lowe because I’m determined to bounce back from this setback," he asserted. "I’m not interested in being a fire‑fighter all the time, though sometimes you have to step in and keep a side afloat.
"What I don’t want is a brief stint of ten or fifteen games where I’m only asked to secure a few wins and then walk away. My CV already demonstrates my capabilities.
"I’ve now overseen 380 matches, many of them in the Championship. I’m keen to join a club with solid ownership and a forward‑thinking sporting director, where we all share the same vision." In summary, Lowe’s journey illustrates the fine line between over‑achievement and the harsh realities of limited resources.
His next chapter will likely involve a club that values long‑term planning, allowing him to apply the lessons learned at Bury, Plymouth, Preston and Wigan to build sustainable success.