Sheffield United has announced Chris Wilder as its new manager to replace Paul Heckingbottom, the Premier League club’s owner Prince Abdullah has said.

“Yes (I have made the decision),” the Saudi Arabian told Talk Sport radio on Tuesday.

“Chris has done great things for the club and in my opinion he’s the best guy on planet Earth to take over the club right now in these circumstances.

“Chris is very optimistic he can save the season. He doesn’t think it’s easy, but he thinks it’s still possible.”

Shortly after this interview the club officially confirmed the decision to fire Heckingbottom, who took Sheffield United into the Premier League in May, but has been tipped to go since its 5-0 loss at relegation rivals Burnley on Saturday.

Tweet from @SheffieldUnited

United’s chief executive Stephen Bettis said on the club website: “Firstly, on behalf of the board of directors, I’d like to thank Paul for all of his efforts at Sheffield United, firstly as U23s manager before stepping up to take control of first-team duties.

“His professionalism and dedication have been a credit to the club and I’m sure all Unitedites enjoyed the promotion-winning campaign.

“However, after slipping to the bottom of the table and a number of disappointing results and performances, it is felt that a change is needed to give the club a boost and every possible chance of remaining in the Premier League beyond this season.”

United was handed an embarrassing 8-0 home thrashing by Newcastle United in September and has five points from 14 games.

Heckingbottom took temporary charge to the end of that season, and full charge after a six-month spell under Slavisa Jokanovic, winning promotion in his first full season as manager.

He becomes the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season.

Tweet from @SheffieldUnited

Wilder was manager when United was promoted in 2019 having joined the club when it was in the third tier two years earlier.

However he was sacked in March 2021 as the club headed for relegation.

A former player at the club, Wilder has coached at second-division teams Middlesbrough and Watford since leaving Sheffield United in March 2021.

He is likely to be in place in time for Wednesday’s home fixture with Liverpool.

-Reuters, with agencies