Paul Heckingbottom hasn’t got off to the best start as manager of Sheffield United as the former Hibs boss’ side were thrashed 5-0 by Leicester City.
Kelechi Iheanacho scored for the Foxes in the first half but things got ugly in the second 45 for the former Hibs boss, Sheffield United conceding four more as the Nigerian collected a hat-trick alongside an Ayoze Perez strike and Ethan Ampadu own goal.
Disappointing start. (Photo by ALEX PANTLING/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Heckingbottom is the new interim manager of Sheffield United after Chris Wilder’s departure as boss. It’s his first senior managerial role since his stint at Hibs in 2019, where he spent nine months at Easter Road.
After a promising first few months brought a top six finish in the 2018/19 season, Heckingbottom’s start to the 19/20 season wasn’t deemed good enough and he was replaced by Jack Ross in November 2019. Speaking prior to his maiden Sheffield United match, where he is usually U23s boss, Heckingbottom says it’s been a hectic weekend.
He said: “In terms of time working with the team, I have had none. It wasn’t official until last night that I was going to take the game, for different reasons, mainly Covid because I had been working in a different bubble.
Covid issues. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
“That has posed its problems but mentally I have known that this could be happening for the last 24 hours or so. But in terms of the players, we haven’t worked with them, but they have been fine. It’s been a difficult week.”
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