Sheffield United: 'We must take care of the present,' players are told, 'Not the distant future'

Paul Heckingbottom has admitted Sheffield United’s timetable for a return to a Premier League did not change when he replaced Slavisa Jokanovic as manager last week.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Previously the club’s under-23’s coach, Heckingbottom oversees his second match in permanent charge at Cardiff City this weekend, having been appointed only 72 hours before Sunday’s win over Bristol City.

After making an inconsistent start to the campaign, United travel to Wales hoping to make it three straight league wins for the first time since December 2019 when Norwich City, Aston Villa and Brighton and Hove Albion were beaten en route to a ninth placed top-flight finish.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jokanovic, who masterminded Reading’s downfall during his final match at the helm, was told by Bramall Lane’s owners to aim for an immediate return to the top-flight after being unveiled as Chris Wilder’s successor in May - a month after United were relegated back to the Championship.

New manager Paul Heckingbottom is convinced Sheffield United can still be celebrating at the end of the season: Simon Bellis / SportimageNew manager Paul Heckingbottom is convinced Sheffield United can still be celebrating at the end of the season: Simon Bellis / Sportimage
New manager Paul Heckingbottom is convinced Sheffield United can still be celebrating at the end of the season: Simon Bellis / Sportimage

Unlike the Serb, Heckingbottom has been told he will not be judged “by what happens on a Saturday afternoon” after Bramall Lane’s board of directors finalised the strategic review which supposedly prompted Jokanovic’s sacking.

Read More
Sheffield United: How Femi Seriki will be helped to recover following a torrid t...

But the 44-year-old is under no illusions about what United’s objective really is, as they approach the halfway stage of the campaign 13th in the table and seven points outside of the play-off positions.

Paul Heckingbottom took permanent charge of Sheffield United last week: Simon Bellis / SportimagePaul Heckingbottom took permanent charge of Sheffield United last week: Simon Bellis / Sportimage
Paul Heckingbottom took permanent charge of Sheffield United last week: Simon Bellis / Sportimage

“It’s about this season,” Heckingbottom said. “There’s too many games to play for it to be about anything else.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We don’t want to be talking about achieving something way into the future. We want to be playing for what there still is to play for right now. And there’s plenty. Everyone knows that.”

Speaking at Heckingbottom’s official coronation last week, journalists were told by two senior members of United’s hierarchy that sound financial plans exist for whichever division they are in next term.

Jokanovic was criticised for talking about promotion while United were in the lower reaches of the rankings, despite taking his former club Fulham up three years ago from an even tougher position.

But Heckingbottom added: “We are looking at ‘now’ not next season. We want to take care of this season.”