Blades sack Adkins and approach Wilder

Sheffield United have parted company with manager Nigel Adkins after 11 months in charge.

A Blades statement described the move as, “the correct time to make a change” as their board remain urgent in their  aim to get out of League One – a division the club have been stuck in for the past five seasons.

In Adkins’ sole season in charge United finished 11th, registering only two wins more than the number of games they lost (16). Despite an FA third round trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, co-chairman Kevin McCabe and Jim Phipps have deemed it necessary to cut short Adkins’ three-year contract.

A club statement read: “A decision has been made by the board of Sheffield United for Nigel to depart immediately. Nigel is a gentleman and, as proved by his record, a very good manager, but the overriding aim is promotion from League One and the Club feels that this is the correct time to make a change.

“We will now begin the process of bringing in a new manager. We hope to make an appointment very shortly, with promotion from this division once again the priority. This is a decision made jointly between the co-owners and is the result of discussions between board members and colleagues.”

Northampton manager Chris Wilder has been the Blades first point of contact in their search, with the Yorkshireman understood to be keen to return to his family up north. A deal is close with negotiations being held.

The departing Adkins added: “I am proud and honoured to have been the manager of Sheffield United but saddened to leave after just one season. I am naturally very disappointed not to be able to continue the good work going on behind the scenes. I wish the club and the supporters the best of luck for the future.”