Sheffield United ‘set to sack Paul Heckingbottom if they lose to Arsenal’
If Sheffield United loses against Arsenal on Saturday in the Premier League, the Blades are reportedly ready to fire manager Paul Heckingbottom.
Under the 46-year-old’s leadership, the Blades have had a challenging start to the season, with only one point earned from their first nine games.
Heckingbottom’s team is currently four points behind fellow recently promoted team Luton Town, who are currently in 17th place in the Premier League standings.
The Yorkshire club are in the midst of a five-game losing run in the league which includes the 8-0 demolition by Eddie Howe‘s Newcastle United in late September – one of the heaviest defeats in the division’s history.
According to Football Insider, Sheffield United are ready to make some significant changes at the club should their poor run of form continue for much longer.
The report claims that the Blades are preparing to part ways with manager Heckingbottom if he cannot guide his side to a result at the Emirates against Arsenal on Saturday.
With the Gunners currently unbeaten in the Premier League after nine matches and having collected 20 more points than Sheffield United, the visitors will have to produce a magnificent display to earn anything from their trip to North London.
It is understood that the Blades have a successor for Heckingbottom lined up should he be relieved of his duties this weekend, with former boss Chris Wilder waiting in the wings.
There have been reports claiming that the 56-year-old is set for a return to Bramall Lane since the start of the campaign, and it is believed that Sheffield United’s ownership have patched up their once rocky relationship with the manager.
Wilder took charge of United for nearly five years during his first spell at the club, helping them rise from the depths of League One to the riches of the Premier League before being sacked in March 2021.
Recent spells at Championship outfits Middlesbrough and Watford were unsuccessful for Wilder, who was unable to win promotion with neither Boro or the Hornets.
It was claimed following the Blades’ defeat to Newcastle last month that there were no immediate plans to dismiss Heckingbottom, however three further losses have reportedly piled the pressure on the current head coach.
This season has been a far cry United’s 2019/20 term in the Premier League under Wilder, with the Yorkshire club achieving a ninth-placed finish and conceding just 39 goals in 38 matches during that campaign.
Heckingbottom’s men have already allowed 24 strikes into the net of Wes Foderingham, who is yet to keep a clean sheet since his side’s return to the top flight after a two-year absence.
Leave a Reply