More woe for Sheffield United as Alan Knill ‘rejects Head of Football role’ to follow Chris Wilder out of the door… as Premier League basement boys continue search for their new boss
- Chris Wilder left Sheffield United earlier this month amid a row with the board
- Alan Knill is now set to follow him despite being offered Head of Football role
- Knill was absent on Sunday and it has been reported he has turned down offer
- Slavisa Jokanovic is among the names linked with manager’s job at Bramall Lane
Sheffield United have been dealt a further blow after it was reported Alan Knill has turned down the opportunity to be the club’s new Head of Football.
The Blades are rock-bottom of the Premier League and seemingly destined for relegation, and Wilder left earlier this month following a series of rows with the club’s board.
His old No 2 Knill stayed on initially, but The Athletic report that he has now turned down the chance to take on a newly-created Head of Football role and will instead follow Wilder out of the club.
The 56-year-old was notable in his absence from the dugout at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Sheffield United losing 2-0 in their FA Cup quarter-final tie with Chelsea.
Knill had been part of Paul Heckingbottom’s interim coaching staff at Leicester the previous week, and a Sheffield United statement released shortly before kick-off on Sunday read: ‘The club has made Alan Knill an offer to remain on a long-term basis.
‘He, with the support of Heckingbottom, has been given additional time to consider his options.’
But it now seems as though he has turned down the offer and will instead leave the club, following in Wilder’s footsteps.
The main name in the frame for the manager’s job at Bramall Lane is Slavisa Jokanovic, with the former Fulham and Watford boss reportedly interested in a return to English football.
That said, he is currently in charge of Al-Gharafa in Qatar and it has been reported by The Athletic that he is yet to apply for the Blades job.