Ryan Lowe admits that no manager enjoys being dismissed, but he believes the experience will ultimately sharpen his future prospects. "No one wants to be sacked, but you have to take it. You have to feel the pain and wherever I go next, someone's going to get a better version of Ryan Lowe," he told Sky Sports Essential EFL.
The fact that it took four managerial appointments for Lowe to face the sack is remarkable in today’s fast‑moving game. Lowe’s résumé includes guiding Bury and Plymouth Argyle to promotion from League Two, and then taking charge of Preston North End, where he consistently over‑performed relative to the club’s resources in the Championship. When asked about his stint at Wigan Athletic, Lowe described it as a challenging assignment. "The first season, 2024/25, our brief was simple – stay in the division.
We scraped together 13 points from the first dozen games and ultimately secured safety," he explained. "The second season we wanted to push on, but the budget we were given was based on figures from two years earlier, so we were constantly fighting an uphill battle." He noted that the club’s financial constraints meant they missed out on several target signings, leaving them at a disadvantage against bigger, better‑funded opponents. "We lost Ryan Trevitt early on – he was the creative hub of the side – and that hit us hard.
A few injuries and some key performance indicators slipped away, but I won’t use that as an excuse," Lowe said. "There were things I could have handled better, and the same goes for the staff around me." When the decision to part ways came, Lowe accepted it with a mixture of resignation and relief. "It was my first dismissal and I hope it will be my last.
The results weren’t spectacular, the performances were decent, the data was respectable, but we lacked the cutting edge in front of goal," he reflected. He added that despite the disappointment, he understood the club’s perspective.
Before joining Wigan, Lowe had built a solid reputation at Preston. In his full seasons there, he steered the team to two top‑half finishes, consistently punching above the weight of their budget. He believes the club’s subsequent struggles only underline how well he performed. "When I left, Paul Heckingbottom managed to keep the club up for one more season, finishing 14th, but he was also let go.
It shows how thin the margin is for managers in the Championship," Lowe observed. He praised Heckingbottom’s abilities while noting that critics often question a manager’s style of play. "What I learned in the Championship, from the managers we faced, was the importance of adaptability. I know deep down I did a good job, even if others don’t see it.
I’m proud of over‑achieving with limited funds." Lowe also recounted a memorable tactical experiment against Norwich City, where Preston lined up in a defensive 5‑4‑1 formation and managed a goalless draw away from home – a result he still counts as a success. However, he expressed regret over the timing of his departure from Preston.
"I do regret leaving after just one league game of the 2024/25 season. I felt I had to protect my family and myself," he admitted. He explained that pre‑season discussions with chairman Peter Ridsdale highlighted concerns about the club’s progress, and a poor opening‑day defeat to Sheffield United left him sleepless. "I questioned whether I could still deliver for the fans and the players, given the resources we had," he said.
A “gentleman’s agreement” was reached, and while the board didn’t actively want him to leave, Lowe felt his intuition was telling him to move on. "I should have given it a few more games, but I thought I’d taken it as far as I could.
The club’s subsequent results have proven my concerns were valid." Looking ahead, Lowe is eager to return to football, but he wants a project that offers stability rather than a short‑term firefighting role. Even at Wigan, he signed a three‑and‑a‑half‑year contract only to be dismissed in less than a year. "Wherever I go next, they’ll get the best version of Ryan Lowe because I’m determined to learn from what happened," he asserted. "I’m not interested in being a fire‑fighter for ten or fifteen games just to earn a new contract.
My CV speaks for itself – 380 games, many in the Championship." He emphasized that his ideal next job would involve a club with strong ownership and a sporting director who shares his vision. "I want to work with people who are on the same page, building something sustainable over the long term," Lowe concluded.
As he surveys the market, he remains confident that his track record of achieving results on limited budgets will attract a club ready to invest in his long‑term plan.