Former Premier League striker Dean Windass has exclusively told This is Futbol that Paul Heckingbottom should be given the opportunity to manager Sheffield United on a full-time basis.
The 43-year-old was named as interim boss following the sacking of Chris Wilder back in March but has guided the Blades to just one victory from his eight Premier League matches in the dugout.
Sheffield United’s chief executive Stephen Bettis recently confirmed that Heckingbottom is currently on a five-man shortlist to be named the new manager, having already been given the temporary role for the remainder of the season.
Heckingbottom has done his best in an almost impossible task of steadying the ship, but couldn’t save the Blades from relegation, which was confirmed after the 1-0 defeat at Wolves last month.
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In fact, United have scored just twice in his seven games, conceding 17 times in the process, although that does include meetings with Leicester, Arsenal and Spurs.
Despite their wretched form, Heckingbottom remains in contention for the job, and Windass believes that the former Barnsley, Leeds, and Hibs manager should be given a chance to prove himself at Bramall Lane.
He told This is Futbol:
“I would give it to Hecky, without a shadow of a doubt. I know he’s a friend of mine, but I’ve heard he’s a very good coach.
“He won’t want that relegation on his CV, but he will get a lot of feedback from the players leading into the boardroom, the likes of Billy Sharp. I don’t know how the response has gone with Hecky and the board, but why not go for Paul Heckingbottom, he did well at Barnsley, so why not.”