Former Sheffield Wednesday man set to step into Chris Wilder's Sheffield United post
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It is understood that Paul Heckingbottom who was a member of the Owls side that was promoted from League One via the playoffs in 2005, will come in as caretaker manager and will start by taking charge of their clash with Leicester City on Sunday.
Heckingbottom made 42 league appearances for Wednesday and since his departure as manager of Hibs last year has been working as the Blades’ under-23 coach.
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Hide AdStill only 43, he has had success as a manager previously with Barnsley before a short stint in charge of another of Wednesday’s fiercest rivals Leeds United.
Wilder moves on from Bramall Lane as one of their greatest ever managers, having taken them from League One to the top half of the Premier League last season.
Like Wednesday, though, his side have been embroiled in a relegation scrap and Wilder moves on amid widely reported disagreements with the United board.
Heckingbottom will have it all to do if the Blades are to launch an unlikely survival effort 12 points back on safety with only 10 matches left to play.
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Hide AdHe has been a staff member at Sheffield United since July 2020.
Speaking on Wilder this morning Owls midfielder Sam Hutchinson said: “He’s taken that club and with the players they had he hasn’t really changed it, he’s done fantastic.
“For Sheffield United it would be a massive shame. But we concentrate on ourselves at Sheffield Wednesday and they do what they do.”