Paul Heckingbottom
{{short description|English football manager & former player}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Paul Heckingbottom
| fullname = Paul Heckingbottom{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 |year=2009 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-474-0}}
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|7|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = Barnsley, England
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}
| position = Defender
| currentclub = Preston North End (manager)
| youthclubs1 = Manchester United
| youthyears1 = 1993–1995
| years1 = 1995–1999
| clubs1 = Sunderland
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 1997–1998
| clubs2 = → Scarborough (loan)
| caps2 = 29
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 1998–1999
| clubs3 = → Hartlepool United (loan)
| caps3 = 5
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 1999
| clubs4 = → Darlington (loan)
| caps4 = 10
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 1999–2002
| clubs5 = Darlington
| caps5 = 105
| goals5 = 5
| years6 = 2002–2003
| clubs6 = Norwich City
| caps6 = 15
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2003–2004
| clubs7 = Bradford City
| caps7 = 43
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2004–2006
| clubs8 = SheffieldWednesday
| caps8 = 42
| goals8 = 4
| years9 = 2006–2008
| clubs9 = Barnsley
| caps9 = 49
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2007–2008
| clubs10 = → Bradford City (loan)
| caps10 = 23
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2008–2009
| clubs11 = Bradford City
| caps11 = 30
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2009–2010
| clubs12 = Mansfield Town
| caps12 = 11
| goals12 = 1
| years13 = 2010
| clubs13 = → Gateshead (loan)
| caps13 = 15
| goals13 = 0
| years14 = 2010–2011
| clubs14 = Gateshead
| caps14 = 21
| goals14 = 0
| years15 = 2011–2012
| clubs15 = Harrogate Town
| caps15 = 21
| goals15 = 0
| totalcaps = 419
| totalgoals = 12
| club-update =
| manageryears1 = 2015
| managerclubs1 = Barnsley (caretaker)
| manageryears2 = 2016–2018
| managerclubs2 = Barnsley
| manageryears3 = 2018
| managerclubs3 = Leeds United
| manageryears4 = 2019
| managerclubs4 = Hibernian
| manageryears5 = 2021
| managerclubs5 = Sheffield United
| manageryears7 = 2021–2023
| managerclubs7 = Sheffield United
| manageryears8 = 2024–
| managerclubs8 = Preston North End
}}
Paul Heckingbottom (born 17 July 1977) is an English football coach and former player who is the manager of EFL Championship club Preston North End.
After retiring as a player, Heckingbottom trained as a coach. He obtained a position with Barnsley's development squad and, after a successful spell as caretaker manager in which the club won promotion and the EFL Trophy, he was appointed manager in 2016. In February 2018 he moved to Leeds United, but he was sacked during the 2018 close season after 16 games in charge. Heckingbottom then managed Scottish Premiership club Hibernian, but was sacked in November 2019. In March 2021, he was appointed interim manager of Sheffield United until the end of the season. After returning to the U23s, he was appointed manager 25 November 2021, once again, on a four-a-and-half-year deal following the sacking of Slaviša Jokanović. After getting Sheffield United promoted from the Championship as runners-up in the 2022–23 season, he was sacked in December 2023 with the club bottom of the Premier League. In August 2024, he was appointed as manager of EFL Championship club Preston North End.https://www.pnefc.net/news/2024/august/20/paul-heckingbottom-appointed-first-team-manager/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}
Career
=Early career=
Heckingbottom was born in Barnsley and grew up in nearby Royston. As a child, he was a season-ticket holder at the town's football club, along with his grandfather.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/3765151.how-can-booing-a-player-help-your-team/ |title=How can booing a player help your team? |first=Paul |last=Heckingbottom |newspaper=Telegraph & Argus |location=Bradford |date=16 October 2008 |access-date=15 April 2021}} He started his football career at Manchester United as a trainee, but joined Sunderland in 1995 after failing to gain a professional contract. He had loan spells at Scarborough, Hartlepool United and Darlington, without featuring for Sunderland, before joining Darlington permanently in 1999. He made 126 appearances, scoring 6 goals, before catching the attention of First Division side Norwich City, who signed him in 2002 on a three-year contract.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/norwich/2090263.stm |title=Norwich sign Quakers defender |website=BBC Sport |date=4 July 2002 |access-date=8 January 2010}}
Heckingbottom made just 16 appearances for Norwich, including only 7 starts, resulting in him cancelling his contract with the club by mutual consent after just one year.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/norwich/3043918.stm |title=Defender's Norwich regret |website=BBC Sport |date=4 July 2003 |access-date=8 January 2010}} He subsequently signed for Bradford City in July 2003, and was named their Player of the Year at the end of his first season.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/1941124.mccall-awaiting-defenders-answer/ |title=McCall awaiting defender's answer |first=Simon |last=Parker |newspaper=Telegraph & Argus |location=Bradford |date=3 January 2008 |access-date=15 April 2021}} Bradford, however, were relegated to League One at the end of the 2003–04 season, and Heckingbottom left to join League One club Sheffield Wednesday during the close season.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_wed/3737719.stm |title=Double signing for Owls |website=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2004 |access-date=8 January 2010}}
=Sheffield Wednesday=
Heckingbottom was well favoured under both Wednesday managers Chris Turner and Paul Sturrock, making a total of 41 appearances at left back in his first season – more than any other player that year. He also scored four goals, helping the Owls to promotion to the Championship via the play-off final at the end of the 2004–05 season. Due to an injury sustained in pre-season he was put out of contention for the first 16 games of the 2005–06 season. When he returned to fitness, new signing John Hills had begun to make the left back spot his own. An injury to Hills left Heckingbottom able to re-stake his claim on the team, but he only managed a 4-game streak before once again succumbing to injury, this time Peter Gilbert taking his place in the squad. Sturrock allowed Heckingbottom a chance to prove himself in an FA Cup Third Round game against Charlton Athletic. He scored both of Wednesday's goals in the 4–2 defeat at Hillsborough, though this was not enough to establish himself as the club's first-choice left back.
=Barnsley=
On 13 January 2006, Heckingbottom was sent on loan, with a view to a permanent move, to his boyhood club Barnsley.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/barnsley/4610988.stm |title=Heckingbottom seals Barnsley move |website=BBC Sport |date=13 January 2006 |access-date=20 January 2008}} He played an important part in the club's promotion campaign and win over Swansea City in the League One play-off final, scoring in the 4–3 penalty shootout victory that secured their promotion to the Championship. Heckingbottom played in 31 games for Barnsley the next season, as they comfortably avoided relegation. He scored once during his spell at Barnsley, in a 1–0 win over Tranmere Rovers on 18 February 2006.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4703888.stm |title=Tranmere 0–1 Barnsley |website=BBC Sport |date=18 February 2006 |access-date=10 February 2013}}
=Bradford City=
In July 2007, Heckingbottom returned to Bradford City on loan until 1 January 2008.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/6900808.stm |title=Heckingbottom seals Bradford move |website=BBC Sport |date=16 July 2007 |access-date=8 January 2008}} He played in all 23 league games during his loan spell, missing only an FA Cup tie against Tranmere Rovers through suspension following a red card in a 1–1 draw with Stockport County.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7099922.stm |title=Bradford 1–1 Stockport |website=BBC Sport |date=24 November 2007 |access-date=8 January 2008}} A week after his loan deal expired, his contract at Barnsley was cancelled by mutual consent and he signed a permanent 18-month deal at Bradford City.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7176638.stm |title=Heckingbottom seals Bradford move |website=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2008 |access-date=8 January 2008}} He missed his first league game of the 2007–08 season with four games left, when an ankle injury prevented him from playing against Brentford on 12 April 2008. Heckingbottom's place was taken by Luke O'Brien, who made his Bradford debut in a 2–2 draw.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/2198856.heckys-helping-hand-for-obrien/ |title=Hecky's helping hand for O'Brien |first=Simon |last=Parker |newspaper=Telegraph & Argus |location=Bradford |date=15 April 2008 |access-date=15 April 2021}}{{cite news |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7332194.stm |title=Brentford 2–2 Bradford |website=BBC Sport |date=12 April 2008 |access-date=17 April 2008}}
He played in the club's first nine league games of the 2008–09 season, but was sent off in a 1–1 draw with Luton Town for two bookable offences.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7639320.stm |title=Bradford 1–1 Luton |website=BBC Sport |date=4 October 2008 |access-date=4 October 2008}} His place was again taken by youngster O'Brien, and although Heckingbottom returned for an FA Cup game against Milton Keynes Dons, he suffered tendonitis which kept him out for five months.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/yorkshire-soccer/BRADFORD-CITY-Injury-giving-Heck39.5096432.jp |title=Bradford City: Injury giving Heck' the needle |first=Lee |last=Sobot |newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=22 March 2009 |access-date=22 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328064444/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/yorkshire-soccer/BRADFORD-CITY-Injury-giving-Heck39.5096432.jp |archive-date=28 March 2009}} Bradford opted against offering Heckingbottom a contract extension, and he left the club in May 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1660579,00.html |title=Paul Heckingbottom determined to bounce back |publisher=Bradford City A.F.C. |date=18 May 2009 |access-date=8 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004034636/http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1660579,00.html |archive-date=4 October 2011}}
=Non-league career=
Heckingbottom signed for Conference National club Mansfield Town on 2 June 2009, marking his first foray into the game outside the Football League.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/8079414.stm |title=Heckingbottom signs for Mansfield |website=BBC Sport |date=2 June 2009 |access-date=8 January 2010}} He sustained a hamstring injury in pre-season and did not play until October, in a 1–0 win over Forest Green Rovers, 11 months from when he last played a game of football.{{cite web |title=Armstrong and Heckingbottom resume light training |url=http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1789993,00.html |publisher=Mansfield Town FC |date=7 September 2009 |access-date=8 January 2010}}{{cite news |title=Returning Heckingbottom 'careful' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/8294963.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=7 October 2009 |access-date=8 January 2010}} He became a regular in the Mansfield line-up. He scored his first and only Mansfield goal against Crawley Town on 14 November 2009.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8326570.stm |title=Crawley Town 0–2 Mansfield |website=BBC Sport |date=14 November 2009 |access-date=10 February 2013}} On 1 February 2010, Heckingbottom joined Gateshead on loan until the end of the season.{{cite news |url=http://www.gateshead-fc.com/2609/three-in-two-out-on-transfer-deadline-day |title=Three in – two out on transfer deadline day |first=Jeff |last=Bowron |publisher=Gateshead F.C. |date=1 February 2010 |access-date=1 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205134637/http://www.gateshead-fc.com/2609/three-in-two-out-on-transfer-deadline-day |archive-date=5 February 2010}} making his debut on 13 February away at Hayes & Yeading United.
Heckingbottom signed for Gateshead on a permanent basis on 26 May 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.gateshead-fc.com/2779/gateshead-in-triple-swoop |title=Gateshead in triple swoop |first=Jeff |last=Bowron |publisher=Gateshead F.C. |date=26 May 2010 |access-date=27 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902163220/http://www.gateshead-fc.com/2779/gateshead-in-triple-swoop |archive-date=2 September 2012}} He made 23 appearances in all competitions during the 2010–11 season before he was released on 4 May 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.gateshead-fc.com/3427/gateshead-release-seven |title=Gateshead release seven |first=Jeff |last=Bowron |publisher=Gateshead F.C.|date=4 May 2011 |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924151917/http://www.gateshead-fc.com/3427/gateshead-release-seven |archive-date=24 September 2012}}
He spent the 2011–12 season with Harrogate Town, making 21 appearances in the Conference North without scoring.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14278746 |title=Harrogate Town sign defender Paul Heckingbottom |website=BBC Sport |date=25 July 2011 |access-date=15 April 2011}}{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/harrogate-town-fc/4746/squad/ |title=Harrogate Town FC: Squad: Statistics: 2011/12 |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=15 April 2021}}
Coaching career
=Barnsley=
Heckingbottom took the opportunity to gain an academic understanding of football coaching, to set his CV apart from other managers competing for jobs. He completed his BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching at Leeds Metropolitan University in 2013, followed by an MSc in Sport Coaching in 2016, by which point the university had been renamed Leeds Beckett University.{{cite web |url=http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/alumni/alumni-profiles/2010-2017/paul-heckingbottom/ |title=Paul Heckingbottom– BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching, 2013 |publisher=Leeds Beckett University |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406040316/http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/alumni/alumni-profiles/2010-2017/paul-heckingbottom/ |archive-date=6 April 2018}}
He went on to work as a coach with professional club Barnsley's development squad, and was appointed caretaker manager of the first team after Danny Wilson was sacked in 2015. He was not appointed on a permanent basis in favour of Lee Johnson, though was appointed in the caretaker manager role once again the following year after Johnson left to manage Bristol City. During the latter spell, he guided Barnsley to a 3–2 win against Oxford United in the Football League Trophy final{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35906363 |title=Johnstone's Paint Trophy final: Barnsley 3–2 Oxford United |first=Phil |last=Cartwright |website=BBC Sport |date=3 April 2013 |access-date=15 April 2021}} and promotion to the Championship by beating Millwall 3–1 in the League One play-off final.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36352352 |title=Barnsley 3–1 Millwall |first=Rob |last=Stevens |website=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2016 |access-date=15 April 2021}} His success as caretaker, leading Barnsley to their first cup final victory since 1912 and promotion to the Championship, led to his being appointed head coach on a permanent basis.{{Cite web |url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/paul-heckingbottom-becomes-permanent-head-coach-3143176.aspx |title=Paul Heckingbottom becomes permanent head coach! |publisher=Barnsley F.C. |date=15 June 2016 |access-date=15 April 2021}}
The good form and results continued for the first half of the 2016–17 Championship season, as the club ended 2016 in ninth position. Heckingbottom was awarded Sports Hero of the Year by The Yorkshire Post.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/barnsley-fc/yp-sports-hero-of-2016-paul-heckingbottom-1-8312025 |title=YP Sports Hero of 2016 – Paul Heckingbottom |newspaper=The Yorkshire Post |date=30 June 2016 |access-date=15 April 2021}} Heckingbottom signed a new rolling contract at Barnsley on 2 February 2018,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42925263 |title=Paul Heckingbottom: Barnsley boss signs new deal with Championship club |website=BBC Sport |date=2 February 2018 |access-date=15 April 2021}} but he left the club days later to take a similar position with Leeds United.
= Leeds United =
On 6 February 2018, Heckingbottom was announced as the new head coach of Leeds United on an 18-month contract.{{Cite news |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united-confirm-paul-heckingbottom-new-head-coach-589600 |title=Leeds United confirm Paul Heckingbottom as new head coach |newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=6 February 2018 |access-date=15 April 2021}} In his first match as head coach, Leeds lost 2–1 to Sheffield United,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/10/sheffield-united-leeds-championship-match-report |title=Billy Sharp cuts down Leeds as Paul Heckingbottom gets off to losing start |first=John |last=Ashdown |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=10 February 2018 |access-date=15 April 2021}} and finished 13th in the 2017–18 EFL Championship league table. Heckingbottom blooded youngster Bailey Peacock-Farrell as first-choice goalkeeper and also gave debuts to academy players Tom Pearce, Paudie O'Connor, Hugo Díaz and Ryan Edmondson.{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-boss-heckingbottom-promises-major-changes-at-elland-road-1-9152295 |title=Leeds United boss Heckingbottom promises major changes at Elland Road |newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=6 May 2018 |access-date=15 April 2021}} Heckingbottom integrated further academy players with the first team during a controversial post-season tour of Myanmar.{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/saiz-features-but-academy-players-make-up-the-numbers-in-leeds-united-s-myanmar-squad-1-9153612 |title=Saiz features but academy players make up the numbers in Leeds United's Myanmar squad |first=Phil |last=Hay |newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=8 May 2018 |access-date=15 April 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43921044 |title=Leeds United Myanmar tour: Local MPs express 'serious concern' in letter to owner |website=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2018 |access-date=15 April 2021}} Heckingbottom was sacked by Leeds on 1 June 2018, after just four months with the club, and was succeeded by Marcelo Bielsa.{{cite news |title=Leeds United: Marcelo Bielsa signs two-year contract to become new manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44460259 |website=BBC Sport |date=15 June 2018 |access-date=15 April 2021}}
=Hibernian=
Heckingbottom was appointed head coach of Scottish Premiership club Hibernian on 13 February 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47225844 |title=Hibernian: Paul Heckingbottom appointed as head coach |website=BBC Sport |date=13 February 2019 |access-date=13 February 2019}} The club went on an unbeaten league run, and Heckingbottom won the Premiership Manager of the Month award for March 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47812816 |title=Hibs boss Paul Heckingbottom named manager of month |website=BBC Sport |date=4 April 2019 |access-date=4 April 2019}} Two days later, Heckingbottom won his first Edinburgh derby match as Hibs manager against Hearts at Tynecastle.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47840451 |title=Hearts 1–2 Hibernian: Heckingbottom hails Hibs' 'real moment of quality' |website=BBC Sport |date=6 July 2019 |access-date=6 July 2019}} Hibs finished in fifth position, but Heckingbottom was unhappy that the team "downed tools" in the last few matches of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48895632 |title=Hibernian: Paul Heckingbottom eyeing improvement with 'brand new team' |website=BBC Sport |date=6 July 2019 |access-date=6 July 2019}}
Hibs won only one of their first eleven league matches in the 2019–20 season. Heckingbottom was sacked on 4 November following a 5–2 defeat by Celtic in a League Cup semi-final, with the team sitting in 10th place in the league.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49789618 |title=Hibernian: Paul Heckingbottom sacked as head coach |first=Brian |last=McLauchlin |website=BBC Sport |date=4 November 2019 |access-date=4 November 2019}}
=Sheffield United=
Heckingbottom was appointed as under-23s lead coach at Sheffield United in July 2020.{{Cite news |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/former-barnsley-and-leeds-united-boss-handed-role-sheffield-united-2925524 |title=Former Barnsley and Leeds United boss handed role at Sheffield United |first=Leon |last=Wobschall |newspaper=The Yorkshire Post |date=27 July 2020 |access-date=29 May 2021}} After first-team manager Chris Wilder left the club by mutual consent in March 2021, with the team bottom of the Premier League and 12 points adrift of safety, Heckingbottom took interim charge until the end of the season.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56387640 |title=Sheffield United confirm manager Chris Wilder's departure |website=BBC Sport |date=13 March 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/sheffield-united/tab/leagueTables/13-march-2021/ |title=Sheffield United league performance history: Premier League table after close of play on 13 March 2021 |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=29 May 2021}} United lost 5–0 to Leicester City in his first match in charge,{{Cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12245766/leicester-5-0-sheffield-united-kelechi-iheanachos-first-premier-league-hat-trick-punishes-blades |title=Leicester 5–0 Sheffield United: Kelechi Iheanacho's first Premier League hat-trick punishes Blades |first=Charlotte |last=Marsh |publisher=Sky Sports |date=14 March 2021 |access-date=15 April 2021}} and relegation to the Championship was confirmed after four more defeats.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/17/sheffield-united-relegated-by-wolves-premier-league-match-report |title=Sheffield United relegated after Willian José seals victory for Wolves |first=Peter |last=Lansley |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 April 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021}} Sheffield United won three of their last six matches, and Heckingbottom was reportedly shortlisted for the permanent position, but former Fulham manager Slaviša Jokanović was appointed instead, with Heckingbottom returning to his previous role as the under-23s manager at the club.{{Cite news |last=Howson |first=Dom |date=28 May 2021 |title=Paul Heckingbottom sends classy message to new Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic |website=YorkshireLive |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/paul-heckingbottom-united-slavisa-jokanovic-20695248 |access-date=29 May 2021}}
On 25 November 2021, Heckingbottom was appointed manager of Sheffield United, this time on a permanent basis, on a four-and-a-half-year deal following the sacking of Jokanović.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59405002|title=Sheffield United replace Slavisa Jokanovic with Paul Heckingbottom|website=BBC Sport|date=25 November 2021|accessdate=25 November 2021}} In his first game in charge, the Blades beat Bristol City 2–0.{{cite web|url=http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sheffield-united-2-0-bristol-city-flw-report-as-heckingbottom-starts-with-a-win/|title=SHEFFIELD UNITED 2-0 BRISTOL CITY: FLW REPORT AS HECKINGBOTTOM STARTS WITH A WIN|first=Alfie|last=Burns|website=footballleagueworld.co.uk|date=28 November 2021|accessdate=28 November 2021}} The team ended the season in fifth place, subsequently qualifying for the promotion playoffs, though they lost to Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61389080 |title=Forest into play-off final after shootout win |website=BBC Sport }}
An impressive start to the 2022–23 season saw Heckingbottom awarded the EFL Championship Manager of the Month award for August 2022 after picking up 14 points from a possible 21.{{cite web|url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2022/september/13/hecky-motm/?page=2|title=Hecky bags award|website=sufc.co.uk|date=13 September 2022|accessdate=15 September 2022}} Three wins from three away matches saw Heckingbottom claim the award for a second consecutive month.{{cite web|url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2022/october/07/hecky-motm/|title=Hecky claims successive awards|website=sufc.co.uk|date=7 October 2022|accessdate=7 October 2022}}
On 26 April 2023, Sheffield United confirmed their promotion back to the Premier League with a 2–0 home victory over West Bromwich Albion. {{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12866059/sheffield-united-2-0-west-brom-blades-promoted-to-premier-league-with-sander-berge-anel-ahmedhodzic-goals |title=Sheffield United 2–0 West Brom: Blades promoted to Premier League with Sander Berge, Anel Ahmedhodzic goals |publisher=Sky Sports |date=26 April 2023 |access-date=6 May 2023}} Following their promotion, he was awarded the Championship Manager of the Month award for April, his third time winning the award across the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2023/may/sky-bet-efl-manager-and-player-of-the-month-april-winners/ |title=Sky Bet EFL Manager and Player of the Month: April winners |website=www.efl.com |date=5 May 2023 |access-date=6 May 2023}}
On 2 December 2023, Sheffield United suffered a 5–0 loss away at relegation rivals Burnley, leading Sheffield United to sack Heckingbottom and replace him with Chris Wilder two days later.{{cite news |title=Paul Heckingbottom sacked by Sheffield United; Chris Wilder set to take over at Bramall Lane |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/30964/12969349/paul-heckingbottom-sacked-by-sheffield-united-chris-wilder-set-to-take-over-at-bramall-lane |website=Sky Sports |access-date=5 December 2023}} Heckingbottom left the club in 20th position.
=Preston North End=
On 20 August 2024, Heckingbottom was appointed as manager of Preston North End following the departure of Ryan Lowe after just one game of the 2024–25 season. {{cite web|url=https://www.pnefc.net/news/2024/august/20/paul-heckingbottom-appointed-first-team-manager/|title=Paul Heckingbottom Appointed First Team Manager|website=www.pnefc.net|date=20 August 2024|accessdate=20 August 2024}}
Career statistics
{{notelist}}
Managerial statistics
{{updated|match played 3 May 2025}}
Honours
=Player=
=Manager=
Barnsley
- Football League One play-offs: 2016
- Football League Trophy: 2015–16{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35906363 |title=Johnstone's Paint Trophy final: Barnsley 3–2 Oxford United |last=Cartwright |first=Phil |website=BBC Sport |date=3 April 2016 |access-date=13 March 2024}}
Sheffield United
- EFL Championship runner-up: 2022–23
Individual
- EFL Championship Manager of the Month: August 2022, September 2022, April 2023
- League One Manager of the Month: March 2016{{cite news |url=https://leaguemanagers.com/managers/manager-of-the-month/league-one/?season=2015 |title=LMA Manager of the Month |publisher=LMA |access-date=3 October 2022 |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002222106/https://leaguemanagers.com/managers/manager-of-the-month/league-one/?season=2015 |url-status=dead }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{GSA player|paul-heckingbottom/13396}}
{{Preston North End F.C. squad}}
{{EFL Championship managers}}
{{Bradford City A.F.C. Player of the Year}}
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{{Leeds United F.C. managers}}
{{Hibernian F.C. managers}}
{{Sheffield United F.C. managers}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Heckingbottom, Paul}}
Category:Footballers from Barnsley
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Manchester United F.C. players
Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players
Category:Scarborough F.C. players
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Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players
Category:Barnsley F.C. players
Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players
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Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Harrogate Town A.F.C. players
Category:English football managers
Category:Barnsley F.C. managers
Category:Leeds United F.C. managers
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Category:Sheffield United F.C. managers
Category:Preston North End F.C. managers
Category:English Football League managers