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Keith Andrews an assistant as Chris Wilder returns to Sheffield United

Keith Andrews is back in coaching weeks after his Ireland departure
Keith Andrews is back in coaching weeks after his Ireland departure

Keith Andrews has made a swift return to coaching after his departure from the Republic of Ireland, joining Sheffield United as part of Chris Wilder's backroom team.

The Premier League's bottom side have brought back Wilder as their new manager to replace the sacked Paul Heckingbottom.

Alan Knill, Matt Prestridge and former Republic of Ireland international and assistant manager Andrews will be Wilder's assistants.

Andrews left his role with Ireland's senior men's team last month once Stephen Kenny's contract as manager was not renewed.

Heckingbottom is the first Premier League managerial casualty this term, although Wolverhampton Wanderers parted ways with Julen Lopetegui three days before the start of the season.

"Yes (I have made the decision)," club owner Prince Abdullah told Talk Sport.

"Chris has done great things for the club and in my opinion he's the best guy on planet earth to take over the club right now in these circumstances."

United are bottom of the table with just one win all season and have five points from 14 games.

They were handed an embarrassing 8-0 home thrashing by Newcastle United in September while lowly Burnley beat them 5-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Wilder managed the club between 2016 and 2021, when he resigned with the club bottom of the Premier League, with Heckingbottom taking over as interim manager for the final 10 games of their relegation season.

Also a former player at the club, Wilder won two promotions in his first three season as manager at United, taking them from League One to the Premier League.

"Chris is practically an honour of the club, he's part of Sheffield United history," Prince Abudullah added.

"One thing I always like to do, not just in football but all of my businesses, is to keep a good relationship with my ex-employees no matter how it ended, I think you should get over it."

United chief executive Stephen Bettis said in a statement on the club website: "Firstly, on behalf of the board of directors, I'd like to thank Paul for all of his efforts at Sheffield United, firstly as U23s manager before stepping up to take control of first-team duties.

"His professionalism and dedication have been a credit to the club and I’m sure all Unitedites enjoyed the promotion-winning campaign.

"However, after slipping to the bottom of the table and a number of disappointing results and performances, it is felt that a change is needed to give the club a boost and every possible chance of remaining in the Premier League beyond this season."

First-team coaches Stuart McCall and Mark Hudson have also left the club ahead of Wednesday’s home game against Liverpool.

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