Bryan Robson has been confirmed as the new manager of Sheffield United.The former Middlesbrough, West Brom and Bradford boss replaces Neil Warnock, who resigned last week after seven and half years in charge at Bramall Lane.

Bryan Robson has been confirmed as the new manager of Sheffield United.

The former Middlesbrough, West Brom and Bradford boss replaces Neil Warnock, who resigned last week after seven and half years in charge at Bramall Lane.

Blades coach Brian Kidd has been named as Robson's assistant manager.

Warnock quit after United were relegated from the Premiership on the final day of the season with a home defeat to Wigan, ending their stay in the top flight after just one campaign.

Robson, who has been out of work since leaving West Brom in September 2006, has experience of winning promotion having guided Middlesbrough to the top flight in 1995 and, after a relegation, 1998.

He successfully kept the Baggies in the Premiership in 2005 but they were relegated last year and Robson left the club after a disappointing start to the next campaign.

Sheffield United plc chairman Kevin McCabe believes Robson is the man to lead the Blades back into the Barclays Premiership. He said: “Bryan is an experienced manager but also as we all know was a fantastic player, and we believe he is the manager who will blend the squad and improve Sheffield United and lead us back to where we rightfully belong, in the Premiership, in a short space of time.

“He will have the support of the board to fulfil that ambition. We aim to be in the top 10 in the Premiership at least within the next three to five years.”