The Npower Championship has lost its second manager only seven days into the new campaign after Kevin Blackwell left Sheffield United following a 3-0 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers yesterday.
Blackwell saw his two and a half year reign end after Hogan Ephraim, Jamie Mackie and Adel Taarabt from the spot put the Rs- who thrashed Barnsley 4-0 last weekend- into an unassailable half time lead.
A statement on the official Sheffield United website read:
'Following the home defeat to QPR, Sheffield United and Kevin Blackwell have jointly agreed to part company with immediate effect.
Kevin Blackwell has worked tremendously hard over the last two and a half years and his record in terms of results is equal to if not better than most previous managers at Bramall Lane. He will always have a warm welcome at Sheffield United.
However, it is time for us to move on because our ambition remains the same in challenging for promotion, hence this decision to look for a new manager to carry on the work Kevin has been doing.'