Chris Wilder’s former No 2 Alan Knill is set to follow him out the door at Sheffield United after rejecting the offer of a new role at Bramall Lane.
Knill will no longer coach the Blades and missed Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Chelsea as caretaker boss Paul Heckingbottom was assisted by Jason Tindall and Matt Duke.
United released a statement before the Chelsea game, claiming they have offered Knill a new position on “a long-term basis” and that he has been given time off to consider their proposal.
The Blades said: “The club has made Alan Knill an offer to remain on a long-term basis.
“He, with the support of Heckingbottom, has been given additional time to consider his options.”
United did not specify what the new role is and it is understood to be a non-coaching position.
It is not believed to be a technical director role, although United are looking at the whole football structure at he club.
Knill, 56, is understood to have turned it down and is set to leave Bramall Lane.
The former Rotherham, Scunthorpe, and Bury boss was Wilder’s assistant at Northampton and would like to work with him again when he returns to management.
He is reluctant to agree to a new role at Bramall Lane and then have to ask to be released a couple of months later.
Wilder is keen to find a new club as soon as possible and does not feel he needs time away from football to recharge his batteries.
He was considered by West Brom before they appointed Slaven Bilic in June 2019 and the Baggies remain interested in him.
The former Northampton, Oxford and Halifax boss would be on West Brom’s shortlist of candidates if they do go down and Sam Allardyce leaves.
