Premier League strugglers Sheffield United have sacked Paul Heckingbottom and appointed their former manager Chris Wilder as his replacement.
United are bottom of the Premier League and four points from safety after losing 11 of their opening 14 games.
Owner Prince Abdullah told TalkSport Wilder was “the best guy on planet earth to take over the club right now”.
“Chris is very optimistic he can save the season,” added Prince Abdullah, confirming the news for the first time.
“He doesn’t think it’s easy, but he thinks it’s still possible.”
Heckingbottom, appointed on a permanent basis in November 2021, guided the club back to the top flight by finishing second in the Championship last season.
But after Saturday’s 5-0 loss to fellow promoted side Burnley, which saw the Clarets move off the bottom of the table at United’s expense, the 46-year-old has become the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season.
Heckingbottom’s scheduled news conference on Monday afternoon was cancelled amid morning reports that he had been sacked.
But the news had not been announced by the Blades as of Tuesday morning, with the finer details of his departure still being finalised.
It was not until Prince Abdullah’s appearance on TalkSport that the change was confirmed, with an official statement following more than one hour later on the club’s website.
Wilder, along with his staff Alan Knill, Matt Prestridge and Keith Andrews, will take charge for Wednesday’s home fixture against second-place Liverpool.
“Quite simply it was an opportunity which I just couldn’t turn down,” said Wilder of his return to the role he left in March 2021.
“Just like in 2016, when this club comes calling, it is not something you pass up.
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“This is Sheffield United, it is my team and I am thrilled to be back. We find ourselves in a difficult position, I understand that, but I think I can make a difference.”
After the Burnley defeat, Heckingbottom criticised the club for making “financial rather than football decisions” by selling key players in the summer.
He also said United had been “let down” by some players at Burnley, after the Clarets moved off the bottom of the table at United’s expense.
On the decision to sack Heckingbottom, Prince Abdullah said: “I felt like after the last few games it was a necessary decision. The replacement has done great things for the club and knows the club, so I feel good about the decision in one way but I really have a tremendous respect for Paul.”