Kevin Blackwell was last night appointed the new manager of Sheffield United after Bryan Robson declined the board’s offer to become director of football at Bramall Lane.

Robson, after only 39 matches and nine months, left by mutual consent in the wake of his failed reign after agreeing a settlement thought to be in the region of £1 million. The former Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion manager last night blamed the club’s supporters, who demanded his dismissal after last Saturday’s goalless draw with Scunthorpe United.

Blackwell, who left Luton Town last month, took little time finalising personal terms with Terry Robinson, the football club chairman, after heading north from his home in Bedfordshire. Blackwell, a former assistant manager at Bramall Lane, has agreed a deal until the end of the season. He will be assisted by Sam Ellis, another former Sheffield United employee.

Blackwell received much of the credit for Sheffield United’s rise under Neil Warnock before he left in 2003 to work under Peter Reid at Leeds United, as first-team coach. He took over as manager at Elland Road in June 2004 in the most parlous of circumstances after their relegation from the Premier League.

Having jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire by joining Luton, as they also nose-dived towards administration, Blackwell can expect a warm homecoming at Bramall Lane, where he takes charge of his first match when Middlesbrough visit in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

On a day of turmoil for Sheffield United, Brian Kidd, Robson’s assistant, also left the club. Robson had succeeded Warnock last May after the club’s controversial relegation from the Premier League, but he has been under pressure from supporters from the outset.

“The fans have made it impossible for me to stay as manager,” Robson said last night. “The way they protested with such vitriol has made it difficult for Kevin McCabe [the plc chairman] and Terry Robinson.

“The pressure came from the supporters. There’s a lot to be said for fan power, but they don’t always take into consideration the full workings of what goes on behind the scenes at a football club. It’s a shame, as it’s a great club and I was confident we would eventually get back up and stay there.

“The results weren’t what we wanted, but it was still only one defeat in nine and we were still in the FA Cup. James Beattie was getting fit again, Rob Hulse was improving all the time and I’d brought in quality players such as Gary Speed. I’ve actually brought in £6 million from sales of players in the process. But I don’t blame Kevin or Terry. They are great people to work for. The club has the foundations to move forward. The role they offered me was fantastic, but it isn’t what I want in my career at the moment.”

Allowed to consolidate the club’s mantle as favourites for promotion by spending £4 million on Beattie, who has since scored 13 goals, United are languishing in sixteenth place in the Coca-Cola Championship. It is thought that McCabe’s preference was to keep Robson on board, as his pedigree has helped the club’s status, but the former England captain realised that such a sideways move would do his credibility little good. Despite the Cup run, the board decided to act while the team still have an outside chance of finishing in the top six.

Blackwell worked as assistant to Warnock for four years and helped to mastermind runs to the Championship play-offs final and semi-finals of both domestic cup competitions. He led Leeds to the Championship play-offs final in 2006 before being sacked by Ken Bates early the next season amid severe financial problems.

Failing idols

— Former England captains have moderate records as managers. Bobby Charlton took Preston North End to relegation, Terry Butcher was recently sacked by Sydney and Brentford, and Ray Wilkins took QPR down.

— Kevin Keegan has gained promotion with Newcastle United, Fulham and Manchester City, while Paul Ince has improved Macclesfield Town and MK Dons.

— The best was Sir Alf Ramsey, who transformed Ipswich Town into the league champions and then gave England their only World Cup triumph.

Words by Bill Edgar