After the Blades' demoralising 0:3 loss to QPR, Kevin Blackwell has been sacked as the manager of Sheffield United.
The club has released a statement. It reads:
'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.'
Blackwell's head had been called for by plenty of fans on the terraces last season and today, but today's 0:3 humiliation from Queens Park Rangers culminated in Blackwell's sacking.
The now former United boss had been with the Blades for two and a half years, but his tenure has been cut short following the home loss.
The timing of the sacking comes as a surprise to many Blades fans. Blackwell had been rebuilding his squad for the 2010/2011 campaign, bringing in the likes of Steve Simonsen, Johnny Ertl and Leon Britton, who are his signings.
Hogan Ephraim, Jamie Mackie and Adel Taarabt scored Rangers' three goals in the opening 23 minutes, with the latter converting a penalty after Steve Simonsen brought down the Morrocan.
Blades Mad will bring you all the reaction from the sacking as soon as it's released. Give your thoughts about Blackwell's departure on our messageboard.
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