Blackwell named permanent manager at the Blades

[Matt]

Kevin Blackwell Named Permanent Manager at Sheffield United

By Bob Bensch

May 3 (Bloomberg) -- Kevin Blackwell was appointed the permanent manager at Sheffield United after leading the English Championship team into the race for the promotion playoffs.

Blackwell was named interim manager Feb. 14 when Brian Robson quit. The Blades were in 16th place at the time and have risen to ninth heading into tomorrow's regular-season finale at Southampton.

``It was a very easy decision,'' Sheffield United Chairman Kevin McCabe said on the club's Web site. ``Kevin has reinvigorated the team, so much so that we go into the final weekend of the season with a chance of making the playoffs.''

Blackwell received a three-year contract, as did his assistant Sam Ellis, United said.

Sheffield United is tied with Ipswich on 66 points, one behind Wolverhampton. Crystal Palace, with 68 points, currently holds the final place in the four-team playoff that will determine the last team promoted to the Premier League next season.

``The aim of my three years is to get into the Premiership,'' Blackwell said. ``The club is geared for it, and I believe it will be a failure if we don't do so.''

Blackwell previously spent four years as an assistant at United under Neil Warnock. He was also the manager at Luton and Leeds United.

Kevin Blackwell's Red and White Army!

[Mark]

Just don't have the effect Rob Kelly had with us for tomorrow at least Kevin, don't rate him personally.

[Master Fox]

Don't let us down Kev. Please.

[lookwhaticando]

Up the Blades!

[Basingstoke Fox]

Just don't have the effect Rob Kelly had with us for tomorrow at least Kevin, don't rate him personally.

I was thinking of the Rob Kelly effect but maybe he will be different.

But then we signed Rob Kelly again before the season was over which was stupid

[happyhippy]

Don't let us down Kev. Please.

We did try .... .... we were going loopy when we heard you were beating Day Before Thursday last week ...... King Kev II (our big cheese is called Kevin too, so he gets King Kev I) worked wonders for us to even have a chance of the play offs after the disastrous reign of Barny Sornob, but believe me, I'm truly sorry it didn't work out for you guys.

Always had happy memories of Leicester, and I wish you all the very, very best for next season.

Take care, and drink the place dry .... peacefully ....