Bryan Robson has left Sheffield United after turning down the offer of becoming the club's director of football, according to reports.

Former Blades coach Kevin Blackwell is among the favourites to take charge.

The 51-year-old had met with the club's plc chairman Kevin McCabe in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss his future as manager at Bramall Lane.

The former Middlesbrough, Bradford and West Brom manager had been under increasing pressure since replacing Neil Warnock in the summer after the club's expected promotion challenge has failed to materialise.

The Blades lie 16th in the Coca-Cola Championship and have won just nine of their 32 matches under Robson this season.

More news from SportingLife.com