Graham Alexander was appointed Preston North End manager on September 28.

Kevin Kilbane says he was ‘delighted’ when he heard Preston North End had hired Graham Alexander as manager.

Preston opted to make a managerial change after a tough start to the Championship season, with Paul Heckingbottom being relieved of his duties.

In his place came club legend Alexander, whose return to Deepdale in his dream job was confirmed on September 28.

Local lad Kilbane was happy with the announcement.

“I was delighted with the appointment given his affinity to the club,” Kilbane told the post, via BetBrain.

It’s not always a given that you’ll be successful as a manager at a club where you were successful as a player, but I hope that’ll be the case for Graham at Preston.

“He knows the club inside out and he’s brought in people to his coaching staff who have also played for Preston and know the club well.”

Kevin Kilbane’s verdict on where Preston are at

Preston are struggling at the bottom of the Championship with just five points after 13 games.

Kilbane also offered his thoughts on the predicament his hometown club find themselves in.

Kilbane said: “For a number of years now, the main aim at Preston North End has been survival in the Championship.

“There has been no serious investment into the team to try and push them on to challenge for promotion.

“Trevor Hemmings was an incredible ambassador for the club and he gave unbelievable financial support, but he was never truly able to invest to the levels of a lot of the other Championship clubs who have sustained challenges at the top end of the league and even gained promotion.

“For Preston to have sustained their position in the Championship is an achievement in itself, given the budget they have and the level they’ve been working at for such a long time.

“Graham Alexander’s job this season is simple – keep Preston up. They’ve looked poor when I’ve watched them this season and they’re lacking creativity.

“They’ve only scored 10 goals in 12 games [at time of speaking], so they have to get better going forward.”