Sheffield Utd Sack Manager Heckingbottom And Re-Appoint Chris Wilder

The Blades are bottom of the Premier League table after losing 11 of their 14 games so far, including an 8-0 defeat to Newcastle United and 5-0 losses to Arsenal and Burnley.

Heckingbottom was appointed Sheffield United manager in November 2021 and led them to Premier League promotion last season.

The 46-year-old is the first manager to be sacked in the Premier League this season.

Wilder was previously in charge at Brammal Lane from May 2016 to March 2021, leaving them when they were bottom of the table.

During that period, he guided them from League One to the top flight, achieving a ninth place finish in the 2019/2020 season.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Sheffield United owner Prince Abdullah said: "Yes [I have made the decision]. Chris is practically an honour of the club, he’s part of Sheffield United history. 

"One thing I always like to do, not just in football but all of my businesses, is to keep a good relationship with my ex-employees no matter how it ended, I think you should get over it. At the end of the day we’re all passionate about what we do and we believe Chris is the right man for the job. 

"Chris has done great things for the club and in my opinion he’s the best guy on planet earth to take over the club right now in these circumstances."

He added on Heckingbottom's departure: “I have mixed emotions about letting Paul go.I really have a lot of respect for Paul and everything he did for the club, he’s a very classy guy. I’ve been at the club for five years and we changed one manager and that was Slav [Slavisa Jokanovic], so we believe in sticking with the manager and supporting him.

"But I felt like after the last few games it was a necessary decision and the replacement has done great things for the clubs and knows the club, so I feel good about the decision in one way but I really have a tremendous respect for Paul."

Speaking to the Sheffield United website, Wilder said: "Quite simply it was an opportunity which I just couldn't turn down.

"Just like in 2016, when this club comes calling, it is not something you pass up. 

"This is Sheffield United, it is my team and I am thrilled to be back. 

"We find ourselves in a difficult position, I understand that, but I think I can make a difference."