SHEFFIELD UNITED are reportedly set to sack Paul Heckingbottom this weekend if they lose at Arsenal.
And the Blades already have a replacement lined up to take his place in the Bramall Lane dugout.
Paul Heckingbottom could be on the brink of the sack from Sheffield UnitedGetty
Heckingbottom, 46, is fighting for his job with his newly-promoted side rock bottom of the Premier League.
United have picked up just one point from nine matches as they still search for their first win of the season.
The Yorkshire team have lost their last five matches, including that record-breaking 8-0 thumping at home to Newcastle on September 24.
And it doesn’t get any easier for the Blades as they head to unbeaten Arsenal on Saturday.
But according to the Daily Mail, Heckingbottom faces the chop should he fail to take anything away from the Emirates.
Sheffield United CEO Stephen Bettis gave Heckingbottom the dreaded vote of confidence last month.
He said: “He’s done a great job. Everyone is really happy with what Paul has done.
“He’s been excellent. He’s smart and thinks about the big picture.
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“He understands the needs and wants of a football club, not just the wants and needs of a manager.”
However, his patience appears to be down to its final thread as he prepares to sack Heckingbottom.
And the report adds that Chris Wilder would return as manager.
Wilder spent five years at Bramall Lane as the gaffer of the Blades, having enjoyed two spells at the club during his playing days.
He took them from League One to the Premier League in three seasons and the Blades finished ninth in their first season back in the top flight.
Ironically, he was replaced on an interim basis by Heckingbottom when he lost his job in March 2021.
Slavisa Jokanovic came in over the summer but only lasted until November – prompting Heckingbottom’s return.
The former Barnsley and Leeds boss led the Blades to promotion last season but now could be replaced by the man he replaced.
Wilder, 56, has been out of work since a short stint with Watford at the end of the 2022-23 campaign – but is keen to get back into management.
Chris Wilder is in line to come back to Bramall LaneGetty
-Wilder led the Blades to promotion to the Championship and then the Premier League[/caption]