U23s manager Paul Heckingbottom looks set to take the job on a caretaker basis while the Blades find the right man to take the club forward in the long-term. Here's a rundown of the SkyBet's current front-runners for the job, ranked from the worst to best chance of becoming Sheffield United' s next manager:
1. Philip Cocu - Current odds: 33/1
Current job: Unemployed. Last club: Derby County. Career win percentage: 56.7% Photo: CHRISTOF STACHE
2. Alan Pardew - Current odds: 33/1
Current job: CSKA technical director. Career win percentage: 41.1% Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos
3. Rafael Benitez - Current odds: 25/1
Current job: Unemployed. Last club: Dalian Professional. Career win percentage: 49.2% Photo: Alex Broadway
4. Nigel Adkins - Current odds: 22/1
Current job: Unemployed. Last club: Hull City. Career win percentage: 42.4% Photo: Marc Atkins