Managers will ‘queue up’ for Sheffield United job
Wolves 1-0 Sheffield Utd
Sheffield United will be spoilt for choice when they look for the right man to guide them back to the Premier League, insists interim manager Paul Heckingbottom.
United’s’ relegation was confirmed at Molineux on Saturday night when Willian Jose’s first goal in English football came just 30 seconds after Enda Stevens’s shot was blocked by Nelson Semedo at the other end – a reverse of fortunes which just about summed up their ill-fated season.
With just 17 goals this season – and 16 defeats separated by one goal – scoring has been the decisive factor that United have struggled with.
It will be just one of the problems that the permanent successor to Chris Wilder will have to deal with.
But the manager’s identity is still anyone’s guess, according to Heckingbottom, who had just 37 days in charge to try to pull off an unlikely escape from relegation.
“Those opportunities don’t come around very often, so people will be queuing up and knocking the door down to present themselves as the right man to bring Sheffield United back,” Heckingbottom
said. A swift appointment would be in everyone’s best interests, he added.
But the departure of chairman Prince Musaad Bin Khalid Al Saud on Friday might delay the recruitment process.
“Those pre-season transfer windows are big moments to reinvigorate things,” Heckingbottom said. “So I would certainly expect an appointment as soon as possible.” The Prince’s departure might not be the only one.
Rhian Brewster, the 21-year-old forward signed from Liverpool for £23.5 million last summer, has failed to find the net since his move and there is uncertainty over his future now that relegation has been confirmed.
Norwich have shown how squad stability has been a huge factor in their immediate return to the top flight. So there is an argument for Sheffield United retaining players such as George Baldock, Stevens, John Fleck, John Egan, Oliver Norwood, John Lundstram and David Mcgoldrick. “Norwich were adamant they were going to recruit players, develop them, sell them for a profit and play a certain style of football,” Heckingbottom said. “I wholeheartedly agree with that approach.”