Managing a soccer team is one of the hardest jobs, with fans and the media always ready to criticize you. And managing in the Premier League comes with even more pressure, with it being one of the most followed, if not the most followed, leagues in the world. Therefore, managers are always at risk of being sacked and replaced at any moment.
And the first casualty of the Premier League has already come, with Sheffield United being the first to sack their manager after much disappointment and failure.
Sheffield United part ways with manager Paul Heckingbottom
Sheffield United decided to sack manager Paul Heckingbottom yesterday after a disappointing start to the season. The newly promoted side are at the bottom of the Premier League and have lost 11 of the 14 games they have played. They also have just one win in five months, with five points earned so far.
Paul was first brought to the club as manager in November 2021. He was the reason the club managed to get promoted from the Championship again last season. Their latest defeat to relegation rivals Burnley where they lost 5-0 was the final straw for the club’s owner Prince Abdullah. Along with Paul, his staff and assistant coaches Stuart McCall and Mark Hudson will also leave.
The sacking of Paul is the first so far this season, which is quite good compared to last season when 6 managerial departures had occurred at this point of the season. Last season had seen 13 such departures, a record for one whole campaign.
Who will be the new Sheffield United manager?
Sheffield United have already found a replacement for Heckingbottom and that is former manager Chris Wilder. The owner Prince Abdullah convinced him to return to the club. He and his staff are already at the club, and are preparing the team for their next game against Liverpool.
Wilder has much history with the club, being responsible for much of their success. He previously played as a defender for them in his career, and as a manager tool charge in 2016. He led them to two division promotions from League One to the Premier League. He often secured wins against big teams and even finished 9th in the 2019-20 season.
After his side had a bad start in the 2020-21 season, he was sacked. He had fallen out with the owner due to lack of proper funding and backing. He was also sacked as Middlesbrough manager 11 months later, before managing Watford last season in the Championship on a temporary basis.
Wilder spoke after his appointment as manager, “After some time passed following my initial departure, we spoke, met in person and there was an amicable ending. Now, coming back as manager, to know there is a united front again is crucial as we look to work together to improve the club’s position in the Premier League.”
Sheffield United will face Liverpool tomorrow at Bramall Lane, and will hope for a good result to signify the new era.
