Sheffield United find their man in Nigel Adkins

Nigel Adkins is the man tasked with leading Sheffield United out of League One, after the Blades officially named the former Southampton gaffer as their new manager, on a three-year deal. In the process Adkins becomes the club's 8th boss since they were relegated from the Premier League back in 2007.

The Blades had been on the hunt for a new manager since axing Nigel Clough last month after losing to Swindon in the play-offs; the club's third play-off failure in four years. Adkins went on to feature prominently in the betting, alongside the likes of Phil Parkinson, Karl Robinson and Mark Warbuton.

United had an approach for Bradford boss Parkinson turned down last week, and nothing has happened since, with the Blades reportedly unwilling to trigger the get-out clause in Parkinson's contract. However, Adkins, who was as short as 1/33 earlier day, has now been named as Clough's replacement at the South Yorkshire club, ending six months on the sidelines.

Adkins is best known for leading Southampton to back-to-back promotions from League One up to the Premier League, before harshly losing is job in January 2013. Prior to that Adkins led Scunthorpe to promotion up to the Championship on two occasions, with a relegation sandwiched in between.

After suffering the sack at the Saints Adkins went to take charge of Reading in March 2013, but was unable save them from relegation down to the Championship, and then was axed in December following a poor start to life in the second-tier.

Adkins will now be bidding to lead his new troops to promotion from League One for the fourth time in his careers. Betfred have installed the Blades as the 2/1 favourites to do just that, while they are available at 7/1 to do so in style by winning the division.