David Weir: Sheffield United sack manager after four months

Sheffield United have sacked boss David Weir after only 13 games in charge.

The Blades are currently 22nd in the League One table having failed to win since the opening game of the season.

On Tuesday they were knocked out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy by League Two strugglers Hartlepool.

With assistant Lee Carsley also relieved of his duties, coach Chris Morgan, who ended last season in caretaker charge of the club, will lead the side against Coventry on Sunday.

Chief executive Julian Winter told the club website: "First and foremost all at Sheffield United, from the board right the way through the club, wish David and Lee all the best for the future.

"None of us wanted to be in this position at this point in the season. David's appointment was made as part of developing a new phase at the club."

Weir was appointed as Danny Wilson's successor in June, charged with taking the club out of League One at the third attempt.

The 43-year-old former Scotland international defender, who had been coaching Everton's reserves prior to his appointment at Bramall Lane, was interviewed for the manager's job at Goodison Park earlier in the summer.

He made a good start to his first managerial appointment with a 2-1 win over Notts County in the first match of the Football League season.

However, the Blades were unable to build on that opening win and the only other victory Weir was to pick up in his 13-game reign as boss was a penalty shoot-out success over Scunthorpe in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Saudi Arabian Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud purchased a 50% stake in the club at the end of August and his new investment allowed Weir to bring in midfielder Florent Cuvelier and strikers Harry Bunn, Jose Baxter and Marlon King.

The new signings could not bring about a change in fortunes and, despite Weir encouraging a passing brand of football, the Blades are the joint lowest scorers in the Football League with just six goals from 10 games.

Following Tuesday's defeat Weir said he would not resign from his position but admitted in an interview with BBC Radio Sheffield on Friday that his future was out of his hands.

And, with the Blades already 14 points outside the play-off places, the decision has been made to look for a new manager.