MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 17:40:57| >> :600:123916:123916:

Sheffield United boss Slavisa Jokanovic refusing to discuss promotion

Sheffield United boss Slavisa Jokanovic refusing to discuss promotion
© Reuters
Slavisa Jokanovic, appointed as Chris Wilder's permanent successor at the end of May, has won promotion from the Championship with both Watford and Fulham.

Sheffield United's new manager Slavisa Jokanovic refused to target an instant return to the Premier League when unveiled to the media on Friday evening at Bramall Lane.

Jokanovic, appointed as Chris Wilder's permanent successor at the end of May, has won promotion from the Sky Bet Championship with both Watford and Fulham.

But the 52-year-old Serbian promised "evolution not revolution" at Bramall Lane following the Blades' relegation from the English top flight.

Jokanovic said: "I'm not talking about promotion because ahead of me is a lot of hard work and we will see at the end of April or the beginning of May where we are.

"I'm not under any pressure. It's simple. The messages (given) to me (by the club). I'm a very good observer. I know what people want. I'm ready for the challenge."

Wilder left the Blades in March after guiding them from League One to the Premier League in the space of three seasons during his four-and-a-half-year spell in charge.

Jokanovic, who is hoping to strengthen his inherited squad, guided Watford to promotion in 2015 as runners-up to Bournemouth and in 2018 led Fulham to the top flight via the play-offs.

"We will need some fresh blood," he said. "We definitely need some help from outside, but there is a lot of quality and a lot of character already in the squad.

"It's a question of evolution, not revolution. These players have shown they can fight at a different level and they need to do it one time more.

"One of the reasons I came here was because I trust that these players can make me successful and I will demand and I will push and I am ready to force them to make us all successful.

"If one day they can trust in me, this could be very good news for all of us."

Jokanovic said he will do all he can to keep Blades pair Aaron Ramsdale and Sander Berge at Bramall Lane.

Goalkeeper Ramsdale, currently in Gareth Southgate's England squad, and Norway international Berge have both been linked with summer moves to Arsenal among other clubs.

"Nobody is leaving at the moment," Jokanovic said. "I didn't come here to sell the players. I came here to spend money and to fight with all my power to be successful.

"Listen, they are my players. I have some information from the club's side about Sander Berge. I can accept this guy is a very good player.

"These guys are very expensive players and I want to coach them. We will see what will happen."

ID:453775: cacheID:453775:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4118:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Everton manager Marco Silva looks dejected on December 4, 2019
Read Next:
Fulham appoint Marco Silva as new manager
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland139222391429
2Leeds UnitedLeeds137512281426
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd138321661025
4Burnley136521761123
5Watford137152221122
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom13562148621
7Millwall135441612419
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn135441614219
9Bristol City134721717019
10Norwich CityNorwich134632318518
11Middlesbrough135351415-118
12Swansea CitySwansea13445109116
13Coventry CityCoventry134361717015
14Derby CountyDerby134361617-115
15Hull City133641517-215
16Stoke CityStoke134361518-315
17Cardiff CityCardiff134361319-615
18Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds134361524-915
19Oxford UnitedOxford Utd133551617-114
20Preston North EndPreston133551420-614
21Luton TownLuton133371521-612
22Plymouth ArgylePlymouth133371325-1212
23Queens Park RangersQPR131751119-810
24Portsmouth131661326-139


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!