Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom is reportedly on the verge of being sacked after this weekend’s trip to Arsenal.
Heckingbottom is under increasing pressure at Bramall Lane. The Blades have yet to win this season and a ridiculous injury list is crippling any progress. Indeed, some are even pointing the finger at Heckingbottom over those injuries, with an inquiry now being launched internally.
And according to differing reports from TalkSPORT and the Daily Mail, Heckingbottom will be given his marching orders if United lose at Arsenal this weekend.
Blades to sack Paul Heckingbottom
It’s claimed that a defeat to Arsenal will seal Heckingbottom’s fate this weekend as Prince Abdullah takes action to try and arrest the slide.
Reports claim that Chris Wilder is waiting in the wings to return to the club, 2.5 years after leaving.
However, the Daily Mail claims Wilder is on a short-list of three managers who the Prince is considering to replace Heckingbottom. Quite who those names are along with Wilder, is unknown.
Heckingbottom guided United to promotion last season after taking over from Slavisa Jokanovic the season before.
Sheffield United News View: What a mess we are in
It’s quite remarkable that after three seasons from the last five in the Premier League we are where we are now.
No money, a squad full of players soon to be out of contract, and an owner apparently trying to sell the club but putting the price up monthly it seems. Ultimately, you do have to feel for Hecky and his players.
Heckingbottom has done little wrong really. Yes, some of his decisions in terms of subs can be questioned and there is the lingering issues around injuries. But on the whole, he’s done all he can with this squad and the backing he had in the summer.
Quite what Chris Wilder coming back will do is beyond this writer here. He has had his time and if anything, the appointment feels almost divisive rather than one that will unite the fans.
The Blades are a mess right now and relegation is a certainty. Unfortunately for Heckingbottom, the football side of things stops with him and he’s going to pay with his job.