'A victim of his own success - he leaves with dignity intact'

Ben Meakin, BladesPod

It looks like the end of the road for Paul Heckingbottom, with Chris Wilder widely believed to become his replacement as well as his predecessor. I will leave my thoughts on Wilder for another time – honestly, it’s complicated – as I want to give Heckingbottom his dues if this is indeed how it ends.

It was unfathomable that Heckingbottom would continue as manager after a disastrous week in which we lost two games against relegation rivals by an aggregate score of 8-1, which, if anything, somewhat flattered us. But that should not sour the previous season and a half of Heckingbottom – he should leave with his dignity intact and plenty of respect from our fans.

He took over with the squad floundering in 16th place in the Championship, following on from a horrendous Premier League season and a slide that previous manager Slavisa Jokanovic was unable to halt.

Heckingbottom, though, had an immediate effect – and the same set of players who had looked completely shot under Jokanovic (and Wilder, it is fair to say) ended the season in the play-off semi-finals and were a penalty shootout away from Wembley.

The next season we finished second with 91 points – more than league-winners Fulham had accrued the previous year – and reached the FA Cup semi-final, all against a background of a transfer embargo, substandard training facilities, unpaid suppliers and an owner actively trying to sell.

As our former under-23s boss, he gave youth a chance with scores of teenage Blades making their debuts during his time. And it should not be overlooked that it was under Heckingbottom’s stewardship that Iliman Ndiaye transformed from academy product to Champions League player in the space of 18 months.

I was not remotely enamoured by Heckingbottom’s appointment in November 2021 – it felt like a cheap, desperate option that would merely signal the next bend in our post-Wilder downward spiral.

Instead, he oversaw a return to the Premier League and the much-needed funds that it brings.

A victim of his own success, he’s handled himself with dignity throughout. I cannot argue that he has looked out of his depth this season, but he is certainly responsible for United getting into this position in the first place.

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