Robbo set for blades job

Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe has backed Bryan Robson and Brian Kidd as the dream team that can propel the Blades back to the Barclays Premiership at the first attempt.

The two men are set to be confirmed as the new management duo at a press conference this morning.

United have moved quickly to replace Neil Warnock, who quit last week after the team were relegated from the Premiership on the final day of the season following a 2-1 home defeat to Wigan.

McCabe told BBC Five Live: “I believe the combination of great managerial experience and one of the best, top-class coaches – I think David Beckham said Brian Kidd was the best coach he had worked with – will help us return to the Premiership.”

Former West Brom and Middlesbrough manager Robson has indicated it is a job he would relish with Kidd moving up from coach to assistant manager.

Robson left Albion by mutual consent last September after 22 months in charge.

Working on a 12-month rolling contract, he paid the price for disappointing results since early in the New Year.

Albion were relegated from the top flight after failing to win any of their final 13 games of the season and a 1-1 draw against Southend ended his tenure.

Under Robson’s successor, Tony Mowbray, they now have secured a place in the play-off finals against Derby.

McCabe also revealed his belief Warnock had fallen short as the Blades just failed to retain their Premiership status.

When asked if he felt the club and Warnock could have benefited from an earlier parting of the ways, McCabe added: “Hindsight is a great thing.

“Neil Warnock is a great motivator. We can reflect now maybe Neil Warnock wasn’t quite right for our Premiership ambitions. But he gave it his all.

“The time had come for a change and now we are going to effect that.”

When asked if he believed bad decisions were made last season, McCabe added: “Everyone is a manager....but I believe we should have got more points, yes.”

Former assistant manager Stuart McCall has said he would look back on his time at the club with affection.

“I have been in the game for a long time but played for only four clubs and I am proud to have played for United just as much as the others,” he told the club’s official website, www.sufc.co.uk.

“I was grateful to get the chance to become assistant manager and it was great, in my first full season in that post, to contribute to promotion and then the Premiership campaign.

“You make real friendships in this game, in addition to just working with colleagues, and I wish the players, staff and supporters every success.”