Wolves and Aston Villa rivals 'set' to sack struggling manager - familiar Premier League face could return

Wolves' rivals Sheffield United suffered a crushing defeat to Burnley at the weekend and it could have been the final blow for Paul Heckingbottom.
Toby Bryant
By Toby Bryant
Published 4th Dec 2023, 11:03 BST
Paul Heckinbottom is set to be dismissed by Sheffield United (Image: Getty Images)Paul Heckinbottom is set to be dismissed by Sheffield United (Image: Getty Images)
Paul Heckinbottom is set to be dismissed by Sheffield United (Image: Getty Images)

Wolves and Aston Villa Premier League rivals Sheffield United are set to sack manager Paul Heckingbottom today after a painful 5-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Burnley at the weekend.

The Blades have returned to the bottom of the table following two successive defeats, which have come as a blow following victory against Wolves and a point away at Brighton last month. Sheffield United have just one win this season, which came in the dramatic 2-1 victory over Gary O'Neil's side.

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An embarrassing defeat to misfiring Burnley appears to have been the final straw for Heckingbottom, as The Star reports that his departure is imminent. The boss admitted at full time that he had heard some fans in the away end calling for his dismissal, but was determined to continue in the role.

The Yorkshireman led the club back into the Premier League last season against a backdrop of financial instability, including a transfer embargo from the EFL because of a breach of rule 52.2. 3, concerning the default of payments to another club. He was rewarded with a £20m budget to splash during the summer transfer window but ended up seeing two of his side's key stars Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge leaving the club.

Heckingbottom was due to meet the media on Monday afternoon to preview the side's tough home meeting with Liverpool on Wednesday night, with the time and date set before last weekend's defeat. It remains to be seen who will be in the dugout at Bramall Lane when Jurgen Klopp and his side come calling midweek.

Chris Wilder has been linked with a return to Sheffield United (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Chris Wilder has been linked with a return to Sheffield United (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Chris Wilder has been linked with a return to Sheffield United (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

The current Blades manager took the role in 2021 after a spell as caretaker and has previously worked at Hibernian, Leeds United and Barnsley. Should Heckingbottom be relieved of his duties, former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has been touted as a replacement with the hope that he could emulate his Premier League success at the club in 2020 - Wilder was last in charge at Championship Watford, leaving after the end of his short-term deal last season.

Related topics:Paul HeckingbottomWolvesChris WilderPremier LeagueAston VillaBurnleyJurgen KloppBramall Lane

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