Sheffield United’s Paul Heckingbottom reacts to significant Hull City decision

Sheffield Star

The Northern Irishman was dismissed from his role at the MKM Stadium back in the latter stages of last month following Ilicali’s takeover of the East Yorkshire outfit, with the Turkish businessman overseeing victories against high-flyers Blackburn Rovers and AFC Bournemouth before deciding to pull the trigger.

Shota Arveladze, who was linked with the job quite a while before his appointment, was installed as his successor but has only been able to win three points from a possible 12 since his arrival.

Although he won his first match in charge at home to Swansea City, defeats against Preston North End, Derby County and Fulham have all but ended the honeymoon period for the Georgian.

McCann may have endured a difficult start to the 2021/22 campaign, previously looking favourites to go straight back down to the third tier following a tricky summer with their transfer embargo and a poor set of results to match, but he left the club ten points adrift of the relegation zone.

For a side that were plying their trade in League One last term, the Tigers’ progress under the 41-year-old in the latter stages of his tenure was seen as impressive and Blades boss Heckingbottom has nothing but sympathy for him.

Speaking to the Sheffield Star, the latter said: “Grant is a mate of mine so yes, of course I spoke to him.

“It is unfair on Grant but no one has to talk to me about changing ownership because I’ve experienced it before myself. You know what happens when that occurs.

“People come in and they have their own ideas which is fair enough. The new owner there had someone he wanted to bring in and he’s perfectly within his rights to do that.

“I played with Grant when we were at Barnsley together. So I called him, as quite