Ryan Lowe stressed his commitment to the football club, speaking ahead of Monday’s clash with Sunderland.
Following last weekend’s defeat to Sheffield United, there was speculation on social media regarding the future of the manager after some of his post-match comments.
However, Ryan addressed what was said in the interviews in his pre-match chat with iFollow PNE.
Ryan said: “I’m committed to Preston North End Football Club.
“My emotions are high when we lose games of football. Ideally I wouldn’t like to do press straight away, but I want to take this football club to the next level and that’s where I’m passionate along with the fans.
“Saturday was a disappointment all round and I’ve had conversations with Peter [Ridsdale], and me and Craig [Hemmings] spoke briefly, and we want to go on a journey.
“We want to go on a journey and take the football club where we feel it can go. I’m no different to them. I’m probably a bit more passionate after games when you’ve lost definitely.
“I’ve told the players what we want and what to expect, and to use that as a motivation drive, so wherever we finish this season, whether it’s three points or six points outside the Play-Offs, use it as drive and motivation for next season.
“People will blow things out the water, but I’m just a passionate manager who wants to take the football club to the reaches of the Play-Offs and to the Premier League.
“We know it’s hard and a tough battle with the games you have to play all season, but it’s one I’m not going to stop doing until I’m told otherwise and that’s our drive.”
The top six now isn’t within North End’s reach on the final day of the campaign, but it is still on for their opponents from the North East.
Tony Mowbray’s side will need results elsewhere to go their way, but they know that three points can take them into the Play-Off places.
For PNE, though, Ryan still feels there is plenty to play for.
“It’s a massive game,” he said. “It’s not one where we can just have our flip flops on and think we’re on the beach, no chance.
“It’s the last game of the season and we want to send the fans home happy with something to say, ‘Okay, can we go a little bit better next season? Can the support get bigger and stronger and more fans coming through the doors?’.
“Season tickets are available to buy which we know, and I want the players to go out with a bang and get a result.
“But ultimately we know there’s a good team in Sunderland standing in our way and we want to make sure we’re on it because they’re trying to get into the Play-Offs.
“What we can’t do is we can’t turn up at 60 or 70% because you’ll get beat.
“We’ve got to turn up at 100% knowing that there’s a game on our hands and hopefully we can put Saturday’s result and performance behind us with a positive result on Monday.”