Brown sacked by Preston

Phil Brown has been sacked as Preston North End manager after less than a year in the job at Deepdale.

Alexander & Unsworth placed in caretaker charge

Phil Brown has been sacked as Preston North End manager after less than a year in the job at Deepdale. Preston's board have decided to swing the axe after a poor run of form in League One. It appears last weekend's goalless home draw with Stevenage was the final straw for the board with Preston currently sat in tenth spot in League One. Brown took over at Deepdale last January, but could not prevent the side from suffering relegation from the Championship. Preston were among the favourites to win promotion from League One, but after a bright start to the campaign they have slipped down the table after a run of nine games without a win. Brown's assistant Brian Horton has also left the club and Preston have placed Graham Alexander and David Unsworth in caretaker charge until they find a new boss. A statement from new North End chairman Peter Ridsdale read: "Phil Brown joined the club in January 2011 with the objective of trying to ensure that we could maintain our status in the Championship division of the Football League. "Regrettably this did not happen and the club were relegated to League One. Following relegation we had hoped that we would be in a position to compete for an immediate return to the Championship but after a promising start we have only won one of our last 11 league games and we are out of all three cup competitions. "Brian Horton, assistant to Phil Brown has also left the club with immediate effect. Both Phil and Brian leave with our best wishes for the future. "Until further notice, Graham Alexander and David Unsworth will be in temporary charge of first team affairs."