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Paul Heckingbottom is the first managerial casualty of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Doomed Sheffield United have sacked the 46-year-old following their embarrassing 5-0 drubbing at the hands of relegation rivals Burnley, who recorded their first home win since being promoted. Heckingbottom could not afford a defeat at Turf Moor, and the manner of the loss has forced the Blades to wield the axe.
Attention now turns to bringing his successor ahead of Liverpool's visit to Bramall Lane on Wednesday night (7.30pm). Former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is expected to be brought back in.
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Wilder, 56, has been out of work since the end of last season after his short-term stint as Watford manager came to an end. Since leaving the Blades back in 2021 after a memorable five-year spell in charge which saw them climb two divisions from League One to the Premier League, Wilder also managed Middlesbrough in the Championship, but failed to win fans over before being sacked in October 2022 after 11 months in the job.
Heckingbottom, meanwhile, leaves Sheffield United with the team sat bottom of the table, having won just once at home to Wolves (2-1) a month ago. They're four points from safety, with just five points obtained from 14 top-flight games played.
Can Chris Wilder possibly keep Sheffield United up? And which three teams will go down this season? Let us know in the comments section.
By this time last season, a whopping seven Premier League managers had moved on. And there is little surprise Heckingbottom has been let go following their terrible start to life back in the top flight, which has seen them ship in a staggering 39 goals, including an 8-0 drubbing at home to Newcastle.
Sheffield United face a tough run of games off the back of their damaging successive defeats to Bournemouth and Burnley. Brentford go to Bramall Lane on Saturday after Liverpool do the same on Wednesday. Trips to Chelsea and Aston Villa then follow for the Blades before Christmas.
A must-win clash against Luton is on Boxing Day, and a daunting game away to Manchester City ends their year on December 30.
Sheffield United must find a way to start scoring goals on a regular basis too. They have just 11 thus far – the lowest total in the division.
- Sheffield United FC
- Premier League
- Breaking News
- Burnley FC
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