Blades legend throws weight behind Slavisa Jokanovic for new Sheffield United manager

The Serb, 52, is currently managing Qatari club Al-Gharafa. He previously led both Fulham and Watford to promotion to the Premier League in the 2014-15 and 2017-18 seasons respectively.

Sheffield's United’s hierarchy have made no secret of their desire to retain the core of their current team, who finished ninth last season, and challenge for a return to the top flight at the first attempt next term.

Former striker Deane, who bagged more than 100 goals in red and white across three spells, told The Transfer Tavern: “I’ve seen the headlines like everybody else. I think that in order to move forward, the club needs somebody who has that kind of presence out there. When you’re signing players and you’re trying to bring players into the club, they need to believe in what the project is.

“I think by bringing in somebody like him, it kind of says, ‘OK, well, he’s got a couple of promotions on his CV,’ so they’ll buy into the hope that he’s the right person to move the club forward.”

The Blades have been without a permanent boss since Chris Wilder's departure on 13 March, with Paul Heckingbottom placed in caretaker charge until the end of the season.

The former Barnsley and Leeds United manager, who is also under consideration for the vacancy, has won two of his nine games since taking over.

Jokanovic, meanwhile, is keen to return to England with his contract in Qatar due to end next month.