Sheffield United: Yes, there were answers but many questions remain as thinking behind Slavisa Jokanovic sacking is explained

Relieved of his duties at Sheffield United not simply because of results, although they definitely brought forward an outcome which had begun to appear inevitable. But also, as chairman Yusuf Giansiracusa told journalists earlier today, because he was deemed a bad fit for the club’s long term “strategic vision” - a phrase deliberately shoehorned into nearly every sentence he uttered following criticism, not least in these pages, that the club didn’t appear to have one.

Not so, journalists called to witness Paul Heckingbottom’s official coronation were told time and time again. It was just that, when Jokanovic was appointed six months ago, they hadn’t actually formulated one Giansiracusa admitted. Presumably that was relayed to the Serb before he accepted the challenge of leading United back into the Premier League following last season’s relegation. Oh, and his assistant Chema Sanz too, who walked out of a pretty cushy job at La Liga giants Valencia to join the 53-year-old at Bramall Lane.

Maybe I’m being stupid. Perhaps I’m not that intelligent. My footballing knowledge clearly isn’t that great. After all, as Giansiracusa told the assembled audience inside United’s media suite, he wants to bring expertise and “with all due respect to you and our fans” - referring, no doubt, to those who disagree with the decision - “That’s what Paul will bring.”

SO WHY THE CHANGE

He will. Heckingbottom is a good guy and a talented manager, who understands the value of sticking to a masterplan. After all, having performed as well as circumstances would allow during a spell in interim charge last season, he spoke on a number of occasions about devising and then implementing one.

But, then again, Jokanovic had shown exactly the same qualities during promotion winning campaigns with both Fulham and Watford. Partizan Belgrade as well at the beginning of his managerial career, where he won back to back doubles before leaving for Thailand. So why the change?

MORE – Explained: Paul Heckingbottom will be a different kind of football manager and here's why

After spending over an hour listening to members of United’s hierarchy explain the reasoning behind their thinking, the fact I’m left with more questions than answers is either cause for concern, a reflection of my IQ or possibly a combination of both. I’m not saying those with overall responsibility for running the whole shebang are bad people, lack talent and ideas or don’t want the best for the football club. They are and they do. Which is why I’m left with the feeling that much of what was said during Heckingbottom’s unveiling was designed not only to get a few important messages across - finally - but also deflect any criticism.

If United didn’t have a clear concept of what the future looked like, why did they hand Jokanovic a long term contract? And why wasn’t Heckingbottom kept on over the summer while it was being formulated, given that he’d already shown himself to be a safe pair of hands?