Sheffield United sack Slaviša Jokanović and hire Paul Heckingbottom | OneFootball

Slaviša Jokanović is no longer Sheffield United head coach and the club have already replaced him with former caretaker boss Paul Heckingbottom, this time in a permanent role.

“Sheffield United and Slaviša Jokanović have parted company, with Paul Heckingbottom installed as the club’s football manager,” read the club’s official statement on Thursday.

“Yorkshireman Heckingbottom takes charge of the club’s football business immediately after agreeing a contract through to the end of the 2025/26 season. He will begin by leading training at the Randox Health Academy on Friday and be in position for Sunday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture with Bristol City (12.30pm kick-off).

“Following several months of strategic planning and a lacklustre start to the season, the board decided that a change was in the best long-term interests of the club.”

Jokanović was appointed back in May following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

But things have not gone to plan and the Blades, who were hoping to make an immediate return to the top flight, sit 16th in the Championship.

United have won just six of their 19 league games so far this season and are eight points adrift of the play-off places.