How Oli Arblaster reacted to Alan Knill leaving Sheffield United | OneFootball

Oli Arblaster shared a message following Alan Knill's Sheffield United departure

Sheffield United confirmed on Wednesday that long-term assistant boss Alan Knill had departed Bramall Lane amid a coaching reshuffle.

Following Knill's exit, former Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones has joined the Blades' coaching staff, while Micky Collins has been promoted to assistant manager.

The South Yorkshire outfit's reshuffle has also seen Guilherme Ramos depart.

Sheffield United are eager to reinstall promotion credentials next season, having finished just 13th in the Championship last term, with Chris Wilder failing to establish consistency after returning to replace Ruben Selles.

Oli Arblaster shares message as Alan Knill departs Sheffield United

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Knill has been Wilder's assistant boss during all three of his Blades spells, and also worked alongside the 58-year-old at Northampton Town, Middlesbrough and Watford.

However, Wilder will now hope that the Bramall Lane club can embark on a more positive chapter next term following Knill's exit.

Sheffield United endured a woeful start to last season under former boss Selles, which eased the pressure on the former Middlesbrough boss in terms of guiding the Blades to a Championship play-off spot.

However, Wilder will come under closer scrutiny next season if he is unable to guide his side towards the top eight, as the South Yorkshire club are vying to win promotion to the Premier League following their relegation from the top flight in 2024.

The Championship play-offs have been expanded ahead of next season, meaning they will include the teams who finish seventh and eighth, theoretically bolstering the Bramall Lane outfit's promotion credentials.

Meanwhile, following Knill's departure, midfielder Oli Arblaster posted on his Instagram story: "What a legend of a guy!" alongside a red heart emoji.

The 21-year-old made 21 Championship appearances for the Blades last season, registering one assist in the process, but failing to score a goal.

Arblaster initially established himself as a regular player in senior football while on loan with Port Vale in League One during the 2023/24 campaign.

He went on to make 12 Premier League appearances for Sheffield United later that season, and Blades supporters were excited by the prospect of seeing him play for their club in the Championship, following their relegation from the top flight.

Arblaster showed promise in the early stages of the 2024/25 second-tier campaign, but he suffered an ACL injury during a Steel City Derby victory over Sheffield Wednesday in November 2024.

He has not hit the heights he would have liked since then, and will hope to offer more next season.

Oli Arblaster knows he must have a bigger impact next season

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Arblaster will have been pleased to end last season with consecutive Championship starts against Preston North End and Derby County.

However, just nine of his 21 second-tier appearances last term came from the starting 11, and he will know that he needs more game time next term.

, but the 22-year-old has a big point to prove next season, and will want to help the Blades in their rebuild.