Sunderland make ex-Barnsley, Leeds, Hibernian, Sheffield United manager ‘top’ of wish list

Sunderland make ex-Barnsley, Leeds, Hibernian, Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom ‘top’ of their wish list, according to Alan Nixon.

The club is currently searching for a permanent replacement for Michael Beale, and in the meantime, Mike Dodds has been serving as the caretaker manager at the Stadium of Light.

Heckingbottom is reportedly at the top of Sunderland’s desired candidates as they consider their options and sees him as a potential leader who ticks all the right boxes to guide them into the next season.

With a disappointing campaign so far, the Black Cats are currently 13 points away from the Championship playoffs places.

Heckingbottom tops Sunderland list https://t.co/zaWxy7xWGk

— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) March 31, 2024

Paul Heckingbottom is top of Sunderland’s wanted list to be their best manager.

The club see him as the man who ticks all the boxes.

(Via: @reluctantnicko)#SAFC pic.twitter.com/tlyD805cAW

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) March 31, 2024

The 46 year old most recently served as the manager of Premier League club Sheffield United, but has been out of work since December 2023.

After retiring from playing, Heckingbottom transitioned into coaching and started his coaching career with Barnsley’s development squad and eventually took on the role of manager in 2016 after a successful stint as caretaker manager.

Following his time at Barnsley, he had managerial spells at Leeds United and Scottish Premiership club Hibernian.

In March 2021, he returned to Sheffield United as interim manager before being appointed as the permanent manager in November 2021.

Despite achieving promotion with Sheffield United in the 2022–23 season, Heckingbottom was relieved of his duties in December 2023 with the team struggling at the bottom of the Premier League.

It was in December 2023, that Sheffield United suffered a 5–0 loss away at relegation rivals Burnley, losing their 11th game of the season, with only one victory from their 14 matches, leading to the Blades in dismissing Heckingbottom and replace him with Chris Wilder two days later. Heckingbottom left the club in 20th position.

HECKINGBOTTOM’S PLAYING CAREER:

Youth career
1993–1995 – Manchester United

Senior career
1995–1999 – Sunderland
1997–1998 → Scarborough (loan) – 30 games (0 goals)
1998–1999 → Hartlepool United (loan) – 5 games (1 goal)
1999 → Darlington (loan) – 10 games (0 goals)
1999–2002 – Darlington – 135 games (6 goals)
2002–2003 – Norwich City – 16 games (0 goals)
2003–2004 – Bradford City – 45 games (0 goals)
2004–2006 – Sheffield Wednesday – 47 games (6 goals)
2006–2008 – Barnsley – 53 games (1 goal)
2007–2009 → Bradford City – 59 games (0 goals)
2009–2010 – Mansfield Town – 15 games (1 goal)
2010 → Gateshead (loan) – 15 games (0 goals)
2010–2011 – Gateshead – 22 games (0 goals)
2011–2012 – Harrogate Town
Total – 442 games (15 goals)

MANAGERIAL CAREER:

Barnsley (caretaker) – 12 Feb 2015 until 25 Feb 2015 – 3 games, 2 won, 0 drawn, 1 lost, 66.67 win%
Barnsley – 6 Feb 2016 until 6 Feb 2018 – 105 games, 37 won, 28 drawn, 40 lost, 35.24 win%
Leeds United – 6 Feb 2018 until 1 Jun 2018 – 16 games, 4 won, 4 drawn, 8 lost, 25.00 win%
Hibernian – 13 Feb 2019 until 4 Nov 2019 – 32 games, 11 won, 12 drawn, 9 lost, 34.38 win%
Sheffield United (interim) – 13 Mae 2021 until 27 May 2021 – 11 games, 3 won, 0 drawn, 8 lost, 27.27 win%
Sheffield United – 25 Nov 2021 until 5 Dec 2023 – 98 games, 49 won, 18 drawn, 31 lost, 50.00 win%
Total – 265 games, 106 won, 62 drawn, 97 lost, 40.00 win%

Honours

Player
Sheffield Wednesday
Football League One play-offs: 2005

Barnsley
Football League One play-offs: 2006

Manager
Barnsley
Football League One play-offs: 2016
Football League Trophy: 2015–16

Sheffield United
EFL Championship runner-up: 2022–23

Individual
EFL Championship Manager of the Month: August 2022, September 2022, April 2023
League One Manager of the Month: March 2016

This is how fans reacted upon hearing that Sunderland have decided to make ex-Barnsley, Leeds, Hibernian, Sheffield United manager ‘top’ of their wish list…

@gyrwum: Paul Heckingbottom would’ve been a more understandable appointment when we went for Beale. Now, with a run-in to the appointment, it would be underwhelming. Not bad per se but massive meh.

@MiserableMackem: Heckingbottom has been on the #SAFC radar since before Beale was appointed. He was at the top of the betting with most of the bookies, as well. It doesn’t surprise me at all that Nixon is claiming he’s the “number one” target, and I believe him. Unemployed, cheap and average.

@martymcfly86: Heckingbottom being a number one target for Sunderland, wouldn’t surprise me at all , because Heckingbottom has been available all along. #SAFC

@DavidHindmarsh7: Heckingbottom doesn’t inspire me at all, but I’ve said it before I think we need a coach with experience when our squad is so inexperienced (and seemingly that isn’t going to change) & he fits that bill. But yea, it’s just dull isn’t it?

@vinny_brand: want to sign a 17 year old, and heckingbottom no 1 for manager apparently. serious questions need to be asked about speakman (again)

@joshmontage656: Heckingbottom as no1 🤢, club hasn’t learnt a thing

@gsherrington80: Brilliant. This is going to be Mick Beale mk2………..😂😂😂