Southampton 3 United 2 04 may 2008

Sheffield United fail to make the Championship play-offs after a 3-2 defeat against Southampton at St Mary's. match report here

Blades expect Beattie stay 06 May 2008

Chairman Kevin McCabe is confident James Beattie will still be at the club next season.
Beattie has had a superb first season at Bramall Lane following his move from Everton last summer, scoring 22 goals in the Championship.
He has been linked with a return to the Premier League and Bolton, Portsmouth and Aston Villa are all reportedly interested.
However, McCabe has warned the top flight clubs that it will be extremely difficult to prise Beattie away from his long-term deal.
The 30-year-old striker recently stated that he was happy with the Blades and McCabe is desperate for him to stay.
"We don't want to lose James and nor do we expect him to leave," McCabe told the Daily Express.
"He's as happy as Larry here and it's great to have him.
"Anyone who has spoken to James or has seen him play will tell you that.
"James is subject to a long-term contract and that says everything.
"I accept that what happens in football is not always down to the clubs any more, but we love having him, he has done exceptionally well and we will fight to keep him." Source: Sky Sports

Blackwell is confirmed as manager 03 May 2008

Kevin Blackwell has been formally confirmed as Sheffield United manager on a permanent basis at a Saturday press conference at Bramall Lane.

Blackwell succeeded former boss Bryan Robson in mid-February and took charge initially on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

But the former Leeds and Luton manager has galvanised the Blades and a run of two league defeats from 13 matches has hoisted them to within two points of securing a play-off place ahead of Sunday's final game of the season at struggling Southampton.

Blackwell met with plc chairman Kevin McCabe in New York to discuss his future early this week and has now been handed a three-year-deal.

"I'm very proud to take up this appointment," said Blackwell, who worked as assistant to former Blades boss Neil Warnock. "The club is very close to my heart and I'm delighted to be given the opportunity of delivering the ambitions of the chairman, the board and the wonderful fans of this club. "I believe we are a top-10 club in the making. With hard work, discipline, the will to succeed, determination, responsibility, commitment to excellence and pride we can get there."

McCabe believes Blackwell is the right man to steer United back into the Barclays Premier League and expand the global brand of the club.

"Kevin perfectly fits the bill as our manager," said McCabe. "We have reviewed and enjoyed long discussions about how our football division should operate. Source: TEAMTalk