Simon Grayson

Simon Grayson

Simon Nicholas Grayson (born 16 December 1969) is an English former professional footballer and manager of Preston North End.

As a player he was a right back, but he was also utilised in midfield in a career that lasted from 1988 until 2006. Having started his career with Leeds United he went on to notably played in the Premier League for Leicester City, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers, before moving into the Football League with Sheffield Wednesday, Stockport County, Notts County, Bradford City and Blackpool. He was appointed as player/manager of Blackpool in 2005, and a year later retired from playing to concentrate on the managerial side of his job. In 2008, he was appointed manager of Leeds United but despite leading them to promotion to the Championship he was sacked in February 2012. He was soon back in management though taking over from Lee Clarke at Huddersfield Town. He again gained promotion from League 1 via the play-offs, beating Sheffield United in the final. After a run of twelve games without a win though he was sacked at the end of January 2013. On 18 February 2013 Grayson was given the chance to repeat his League 1 successes as the new manager of Preston North End taking over from Graham Westley who had been relieved of his duties the previous week.