Micky Adams will not get the chance to lead Sheffield United in their push for a return to the Championship after he was sacked as manager during a meeting at Bramall Lane today.
Adams, who is a lifelong Sheffield United fan, won just four of his 24 games in charge after succeeding Gary Speed as manager at the end of 2010 and failed to win any of his first 13 matches in charge.
Ironically it was a 2-2 draw with Barnsley at Bramall Lane on the 30th April which consigned them to the third tier of English football for the first time since 1989.
At the end of that game 49 year old Adams who left League Two Port Vale in second place to take over at his boyhood team stated his desire to remain in charge and try to guide the club back up at the first attempt.
In a board meeting this afternoon however, chairman Kevin McCabe has denied him that opportunity. In a statement McCabe said:
"He [Adams] made it clear that he wanted the chance to lead us next season but the fact remains that we have been relegated. There will be changes in player personnel in the summer, young players will have to be given their opportunities at the right time, and prudent recruitment implemented for what will be a really tough division to get out of.
"With that in mind I feel that in order to give ourselves the best opportunity we should make a clean sweep at the top and start afresh next season."
The decision means Sheffield United are looking for their fourth manager in less than a year and their fifth in four years after Neil Warnock’s near eight year stint ended in 2007. The Blades started 2010-2011 with Kevin Blackwell in charge but he was dismissed after just the first two matches and replaced by Gary Speed. Speed though won just six of 18 games at the helm before being lured by the Wales national job. This led to Adams arrival with the Blades marooned in 20th place. They finished 23rd and relegated.