Bramall Lane. (Photo by Lee Smith- Pool/Getty Images)Bramall Lane. (Photo by Lee Smith- Pool/Getty Images)
Bramall Lane. (Photo by Lee Smith- Pool/Getty Images)

Next Sheffield United manager odds as senior Blades figure emerges as key front-runner

Friday morning brought the shock news that Chris Wilder looks set to leave his position as Sheffield United manager after a five-year spell at the club that saw him take them from League One to the dizzying heights of Premier League football.

A tough 2020/21 campaign has seen the Blades rooted to the foot of the table for much of the season, and despite recent claims from the club’s owners that they were hopeful of keeping hold of Wilder regardless of what division United are in next season, it would appear that their slump has ultimately led to the manager's departure.

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 our rundown of the SkyBet's current front-runners for the job, ranked from the worst to best chance of becoming Sheffield United' s next permanent boss: