Chris Wilder is back in the Premier League! Sheffield United announce surprise return of popular English boss as Paul Heckingbottom is sacked after disastrous run of results

The Blades' owner confirmed that the club have parted ways with manager Heckingbottom after a series of poor results, with Wilder drafted in swiftly as his replacement. Wilder has returned to Bramall Lane two and half years after his original exit, and will now set about steering the club out of the relegation zone. Incidentally, it was Heckingbottom who replaced him as Sheffield's interim manager in March 2021.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Prince Abdullah said: "Yes [I have made the decision]. Chris is practically an honour of the club, he’s part of Sheffield United history. One thing I always like to do, not just in football but all of my businesses, is to keep a good relationship with my ex-employees no matter how it ended, I think you should get over it. At the end of the day we’re all passionate about what we do and we believe Chris is the right man for the job. Chris has done great things for the club and in my opinion he’s the best guy on planet earth to take over the club right now in these circumstances."

He added on Heckingbottom's departure: “I have mixed emotions about letting Paul go.I really have a lot of respect for Paul and everything he did for the club, he’s a very classy guy. I’ve been at the club for five years and we changed one manager and that was Slav [Slavisa Jokanovic], so we believe in sticking with the manager and supporting him. But I felt like after the last few games it was a necessary decision and the replacement has done great things for the clubs and knows the club, so I feel good about the decision in one way but I really have a tremendous respect for Paul."

Sheffield United, who won promotion to the Premier League last season, have managed to win just once in 14 matches in 2023-24 and sit rock bottom of the table. With Heckingbottom's departure, the Blades become the first top-tier club to part ways with their manager this term. Last season it was Bournemouth who terminated Scott Parker's contract in August after just four games into the season.

A club statement was released confirming Heckingbottom's sacking, before Wilder was officially announced as the Blades' new manager. "Quite simply it was an opportunity which I just couldn't turn down," Wilder told the club website. "Just like in 2016, when this club comes calling, it is not something you pass up. This is Sheffield United, it is my team and I am thrilled to be back. We find ourselves in a difficult position, I understand that, but I think I can make a difference."

The Blades are still reeling from a harrowing 5-0 defeat at the hands of Burnley at weekend and they will now face title contenders and giants Liverpool in their next Premier League fixture on Wednesday. Wilder will likely be on the touchline for the visit of the Reds and in Sheffield United's subsequent home fixture against Brentford on December 9.