‘Hecky out’ is a common shout at the moment as Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom clings to his job.
The former Leeds and Hibs gaffer is under serious pressure for the first time as United boss. A loss at Burnley this weekend would surely seal his fate, with many in the stands believing his time should have been up at the weekend.
But if Heckingbottom is to go, just who comes in to replace him? The pot is pretty empty at United in terms of finances, while there’s hardly an abundance of out of work managers out there who stand out.
Here, though, we’ve looked at FIVE managers who could realistically replace Paul Heckingbottom and become next Sheffield United manager.
Chris Wilder
The choice of many a Blades fan, at least in the short-term anyway.
Wilder has been out of work since leaving Watford and is believed to have held talks with United owner Prince Abdullah about a return to the club. Indeed, Wilder was the one who brought Paul Heckingbottom to the club in the first place.
Some, though, see this is a backwards step and his return would definitely split elements of the fanbase.
Frank Lampard
Former Everton and Chelsea boss Lampard is without a club and has been since he went back to Chelsea to help out at the back end of last season.
Some would argue his record is not all that at bigger clubs but still only 45, Lampard is a young manager with an abundance of experience at the highest of levels.
He’s a name who’d command respect from the players and crucially, might have the pull for a few big loan signings in January.
Ralph Hasenhuttl
A more left-field choice but a manager who has been getting a mention among some fans on social media.
The Austrian has been without a job since leaving Southampton in 2022. He was eventually given the boot after a run of dismal results but his football, in the main, was welcomed by Saints fans.
Hasenhuttl is a big fan of high-pressing, energetic football and would bring fresh ideas to The Lane.
Sam Allardyce
If United want to go with the ultimate fire-fighting job and simply become a team who are hard to beat with no interest in playing attractive football, then Allardyce might be the man.
Allardyce was last seen at Leeds where he failed to keep them up with just four games to work with.
The former Bolton boss was speaking to Billy Sharp this past week and had plenty to say on how United are being run. His appointment, then, would be a surprise.
John Eustace
If United are wanting to go with a long-term project and get someone new at the helm, then former Watford and Coventry defender Eustace is an interesting name.
Eustace had Birmingham sitting in the top six this season before being replaced by Wayne Rooney in hugely controversial circumstances.
Still only 44, Eustace would have to be given time and is likely to be one United consider with one eye on the Championship next season.
