MX23RW : Wednesday, March 12 01:21:55| >> :600:145000:145000:

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:
Written by
P A
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
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd37247652282477
2Leeds UnitedLeeds362210472234976
3Burnley372015250113975
4Sunderland371912655342169
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom371317747331456
6Coventry CityCoventry37168135248456
7Bristol City37131594740754
8Middlesbrough37158145748953
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn36157144137452
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds37149145358-551
11Norwich CityNorwich371213125952749
12Watford36147154650-449
13Millwall361212123637-148
14Queens Park RangersQPR371111154248-644
15Preston North EndPreston37917113743-644
16Swansea CitySwansea36128163846-844
17Portsmouth36119164457-1342
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd36912153753-1639
19Hull City36910173645-937
20Stoke CityStoke36812163650-1436
21Cardiff CityCardiff37812174061-2136
22Derby CountyDerby3798203749-1235
23Luton TownLuton3797213460-2634
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth36612183673-3730


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!