Sheffield United sack Paul Heckingbottom, reappoint Chris Wilder as manager

Heckingbottom's future had come under intense scrutiny in the immediate aftermath of the heavy loss at Turf Moor, which came against a Burnley side that went into the match sitting bottom of the table and without a home league win all season.

The defeat, coupled with Everton's win over Nottingham Forest later in the day, left the Blades rock-bottom of the Premier League with just five points from their 14 matches.

The club has now confirmed that Heckingbottom has been relieved of his duties, ending his two-year reign at Bramall Lane, and ended that statement by saying that they hope to have a new manager in place before Wednesday's Premier League meeting with Liverpool.

Less than 20 minutes later, the Blades announced the return of Wilder on an 18-month contract, reappointing the 56-year-old less than three years after originally sacking him in March 2021.

«Firstly, on behalf of the board of directors, I'd like to thank Paul for all of his efforts at Sheffield United, firstly as U23s manager before stepping up to take control of first-team duties,» read a statement from Sheffield United CEO Stephen Bettis.

«His professionalism and dedication have been a credit to the club and I'm sure all Unitedites enjoyed the promotion-winning campaign.

»However, after slipping to the bottom of the table and a number of disappointing results and performances, it is felt that a change is needed to give the club a boost and every possible chance of remaining in the Premier League beyond this season."

Heckingbottom's assistant coaches Stuart McCall and Mark Hudson have