How Paul Heckingbottom's influence is growing at Sheffield United as he helps plot the club's response to relegation

With its relegation to the Championship already mathematically confirmed and club officials expected to wait until the end of the season before unveiling Chris Wilder’s successor, Heckingbottom has been combining preparations for tomorrow’s match against Brighton and Hove Albion with a series of policy discussions about the make-up of next term’s squad.

Although whoever takes charge will make their own changes to the playing staff, Heckingbottom and members of United’s hierarchy have been attempting to ensure a smooth transition of power by making a number of ‘broad brush’ decisions relating to issues including formation, strategy and the basic composition of the team Wilder’s successor will inherit.

Despite seeking to distance himself from suggestions he could take charge on a permanent basis, Heckingbottom said: “For clarity on the manager’s position, you’re probably talking to the wrong person. I was asked what was important and I said keep the squad together, because they are a good group of lads. Will they speed up (the search)? You need someone in charge to make those decisions.”

Speaking after United’s fate was sealed following last weekend’s 1-0 defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers, Heckingbottom admitted to receiving basic briefings on the progress of the search for Wilder’s replacement before indicating they are unlikely to be installed until the summer.

Alexander Blessin, the Oostende head coach, is known to boast admirers at United. But the path to the German’s door is littered with pitfalls; not least the fact that he appears ineligible for a post-Brexit work permit.

Slavisa Jokanovic, previously of Watford and Fulham, would be a popular choice among supporters and possesses the personality and charisma required to breathe new life into a side which has lost all but six of its PL fixtures since finishing ninth under Wilder last term.

But Heckingbottom, who completed spells in charge of Barnsley, Leeds and Hibernian before being invited to oversee United’s under-23 squad, is known to have impressed members of owner HRH prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s inner circle with his blueprint for the future, despite losing all five of his outings at the helm so far. With a number of key performers still confined to the treatment table, it is widely accepted that Heckingbottom’s credentials should not be judged solely on results.

“We care about the club. Everything I say won’t be for my good, it will be for the club,” Heckingbottom said. “ I’m really clear on what it takes to be successful. In terms of the planning and the structure.

“Whether you listen or not is a different matter, but there are certain things you can’t shift on. We need a man in charge to bring that personality and really put his stamp on the place.”

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