Ryan Lowe recently opened up about his turbulent spell at Wigan Athletic, the circumstances surrounding his departure from Preston North End, and what he hopes to achieve when he returns to management. While he admits that being dismissed is never pleasant, he also stresses that it is an inevitable part of a coaching career and that the experience will ultimately make him a stronger, more refined manager. It is noteworthy that Lowe’s first dismissal only came at his fourth senior appointment – a rarity in today’s fast‑moving football landscape where managers are often given only a few months to prove themselves.
Earlier in his career he guided Bury to promotion from League Two and repeated the feat with Plymouth Argonauts, establishing a reputation for getting the best out of limited resources. Those successes paved the way for his move to Preston, where he oversaw two top‑half finishes in the Championship, a league where the club historically struggled to compete.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast, Lowe explained the challenges he faced at Wigan. "The first season, 2024‑25, our brief was simple: stay up.
We scraped 13 points from the opening dozen games and eventually secured safety without drama," he said. He then outlined the second‑year plan, which was to build on that foundation and push for a higher league position. "The problem was that the budget we were given was based on figures from two seasons earlier, so it didn’t reflect the inflation in wages or transfer fees," Lowe noted.
This financial mismatch meant the club could not compete for the higher‑calibre players that larger rivals could attract. The loss of Ryan Trevitt, a creative midfielder around whom the team was built, proved a turning point.
"When Trevitt went down, we lost a lot of the spark that had driven our early season form," Lowe admitted. Injuries compounded the issue, and although the squad managed to produce decent performances, they lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.
"Our data showed we were creating chances, but we weren’t clinical enough to turn those into points," he added. Lowe reflected on his own responsibility, acknowledging that there were decisions he could have handled better. "There were tactical tweaks and squad rotations I could have done differently, but I also share the blame with the staff around me," he said. He described his sacking as a painful but understandable outcome, noting that it was his first dismissal and, hopefully, his last.
"You never want to be fired, but you have to accept it when it happens," he concluded. Before Wigan, Lowe’s tenure at Preston was marked by over‑achievement.
He guided the club to two consecutive top‑half finishes, punching well above the financial weight of the team. He believes that the subsequent struggles of Preston under other managers highlight how well he performed there. His successor, Paul Heckingbottom, was dismissed after a season that saw the club finish 14th, a result Lowe used to underline his own effectiveness.
"Hecky kept us up in his first season, but then he was let go. It shows how fragile success can be," Lowe remarked. Lowe also addressed criticism of his playing style.
He explained that his tactical approach was shaped by experiences against top Championship sides, learning to adapt to different opponents. "When we faced Norwich, we set up a 5‑4‑1, defended deep and almost won. It was a disciplined performance that earned us a valuable point away from home," he recounted. He believes that his ability to tailor tactics to the opposition is a strength that often goes unrecognised.
One regret Lowe openly discussed is the timing of his exit from Preston. He left after just the opening league game of the 2024‑25 season, a decision he now questions. "I should have given it a few more matches. If I had been sacked instead, the narrative would have been different, but I felt I had to protect my family and my own reputation," he said.
He described a sleepless night after a 2‑0 defeat to Sheffield United, worrying whether he was delivering the standards the club and its supporters expected. A “gentleman’s agreement” was reached with chairman Peter Ridsdale, allowing Lowe to walk away, even though the club would have preferred him to stay. Looking ahead, Lowe is eager to return to a role that offers stability rather than a short‑term firefighting assignment. He turned down several offers that would have seen him act as a rescue manager, preferring instead a project with a clear long‑term vision.
"At Wigan I was given a three‑and‑a‑half‑year contract, yet I was dismissed in under a year. I want a club that values continuity and is willing to invest in a plan over several seasons," he explained.
Lowe emphasised that any future employer will receive an improved version of himself, shaped by the disappointment of recent events. "I’m not looking for a quick fix job where I’m only there for ten or fifteen games. My CV shows 380 games, many in the Championship, and I want to be part of a club with solid ownership and a forward‑thinking sporting director," he said. He believes that with the right structure, he can once again over‑achieve on a modest budget, replicating the successes he enjoyed at Bury, Plymouth, and Preston.
In summary, Ryan Lowe’s candid interview reveals a manager who is self‑aware, reflective, and ambitious. He recognises the mistakes that led to his premature departures, learns from them, and remains confident that his experience will make him a valuable asset for any club willing to give him the time and resources to build something lasting. His next chapter, whatever form it takes, will be approached with the lessons of the past and a determination to deliver sustained success.