Sheffield United have appointed Slavisa Jokanovic as their new manager after suffering relegation from the Premier League.
Jokanovic replaces interim manager, Paul Heckingbottom at Bramall Lane after Chris Wilder departed the club in March following a disastrous 2020-21 season, in which the club suffered relegation back to the Championship after only two seasons.
This appointment also makes Jokanovic the first overseas manager in Sheffield Utd’s history, ending a run of home-grown managers across England, Scotland and Wales which dated back to Joseph Beckett Wostinholm in March 1889.
Jokanovic meanwhile returns to the English game for the first time since he was sacked as Fulham manager in November 2018, having guided the Cottagers and Watford to promotion to the Premier League on separate occasions and most recently managed Al-Gharafa in Qatar
Speaking on his decision to sign for Sheffield Utd as manager, Jokanovic said; “I’m honoured to become the manager of this historic football club and I’m grateful to Prince Abdullah bin Mosa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Yusuf Giansiracusa and Stephen Bettis for trusting in me to start this new chapter for the Blades.
“We all share the same long-term vision, passion and ambition for Sheffield United.”
With this decision marking Jokanovic’s return to England after a two-and-a-half year absence, the Serbian admitted that he is ‘excited’ to be back managing in one of the world’s best footballing countries and can’t wait to get started with his new playing squad and staff as well as meet club supporters.
Jokanovic also issued a message to fans, saying; “I want to assure our amazing fans that we’re fully committed to helping the team achieve its goals and make you feel proud.
“With your support, we can make Bramall Lane a fortress and I have no doubt that your voice will make a big difference to the team after so long without you last season.
“Let’s work together to get Sheffield United back to where the club belongs.”
Club Owner, Prince Abdullah meanwhile spoke of conducting an ‘exhaustive evaluation’ with ‘thorough due diligence’ before deciding that Jokanovic’s ambitions matched those of Sheffield Utd, leaving him ‘thrilled’ to appoint a manager who has a proven track record of promotion on English soil.
Acting chairman, Yusuf Giansiracusa meanwhile expressed the club’s ‘gratitude’ to Heckingbottom for his work as interim manager, especially in ensuring that the club was ‘steadied’ ready for next season where the team can “… move forward with confidence.”
Jokanovic and Sheffield Utd will discover how their 2021-22 season is set to unfold when the Sky Bet Championship fixtures are announced on Thursday 24 June 2021 at 9am BST.
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