Sheffield United reappointed Chris Wilder as manager on Tuesday, after replacing Paul Heckingbottom following a poor start to the Premier League season.
CEO Stephen Bettis stated that the club, which is at the bottom of the standings, needs a “boost” in their fight for survival.
Heckingbottom is the first manager fired in the English Premier League this season following 11 defeats in 14 league games, leaving them four points from safety.
Bettis praised Heckingbottom’s “professionalism and dedication” in a club statement.
“However, after slipping to the bottom of the table and several disappointing results and performances, it is felt that a change is needed to give the club a boost and every possible chance of remaining in the Premier League beyond this season,” he said.
Shortly afterwards, the club issued a fresh statement, confirming Wilder was back in the hot seat, having signed a contract until 2025.
“Quite simply it was an opportunity which I just couldn’t turn down,” Wilder said. “Just like in 2016, when this club comes calling, it is not something you pass up.
“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.”
Wilder, 56, was described by Bettis as “the best possible option to give the Blades a change of fortune.”
Heckingbottom, who was appointed permanent manager in November 2021, led the team back to the Premier League with a second-place finish in the Championship last season.
The 46-year-old expressed his displeasure following his team’s 5-0 setback against Burnley over the weekend, the club’s third loss by five goals or more this season.
Near the end of the game, some away fans turned on Heckingbottom.
“The fans are right to shout, say that wasn’t good enough. I was almost singing along with them at one point,” Heckingbottom said.
He said the club were paying the price for a difficult summer transfer window, during which he lost key players.
“There wasn’t a desire from the ownership to sell but a necessity from a business point of view,” he said. “We’ve been making financial decisions rather than football decisions. Of course that affects me.”
Despite the troubles of a number of Premier League clubs in the bottom, Heckingbottom is the first manager to leave this season – there were a record 14 managerial changes in the 2022/23 season.
Wilder, a well-liked figure at Bramall Lane, stepped down by mutual agreement in March 2021 after nearly five years in charge. He has since played for Middlesbrough and Watford.