By Josh Zealand
The Blades have sacked Jokanovic after just 22 games in charge due to a ‘lacklustre start to the season’. Paul Heckingbottom joins on a four-and-a-half-year deal as ‘football manager’ of the club.
Sheffield United currently sit 16th in the Championship table, with the Serbian Jokanovic winning just six of his 19 league games in charge.
Sheffield United’s Chief Executive, Stephen Bettis, said this in a statement regarding the sacking: “Disappointingly, after a slow start, we have not seen an improvement in results, performances and we’d prefer to be in a better league position.”
Heckingbottom took over as caretaker boss after Chris Wilder’s departure from Bramall Lane, before Jokanovic was appointed ahead of Heckingbottom in May. Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League last season.
Bettis continued: “A decision has been made and now it is important that we look forward, Paul’s style and ethos matches that of the club, and we will support him where possible.”
I spoke with a few Sheffield United fans who voiced their opinions on the departure of Slavisa Jokanovic. Here’s what they had to say:
“We won the last game. It doesn’t make any sense. He probably found out he wasn’t going to have anything to spend in January.”
Jake Crosby
“I think its ridiculous. He should’ve been given more time. The football hasn’t been entertaining at all, but they had to give him more of a chance.”
Duncan Zealand
“The whole situation has been shambolically handled, which isn’t a surprise with the Prince Adbullah regime. Appointing Slav and sacking him without proper backing is like asking a carpenter to build you a table and not giving him any wood.”
Zach Thorpe
“Why didn’t Paul Heckingbottom just keep the job the first time around? What’s changed between then and now? We could’ve at least kept some stability in the team”.
Susan Sharpe
“I really didn’t see that coming. I think everyone is shocked. Its never straight forward being a Blade.”
Alison Ward
Paul Heckingbottom will take charge of his first game on Sunday lunchtime, as Sheffield United host Bristol City at Bramall Lane.
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