SHEFFIELD, England (AFP) - New Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell will meet chairman Kevin McCabe this week in the hope of signing a long-term contract with the Championship club.
Blackwell can look forward to hearing United's name read out in Monday's FA Cup quarter-final draw after his first game since succeeding Bryan Robson ended in a goalless fifth round stalemate against Middlesbrough here at Bramall Lane.
Despite failing to make their dominance count, the Blades looked rejuvenated under Blackwell, the club's coach under another former manager, Neil Warnock, and watching chairman McCabe will have been suitably impressed at his new appointment's immediate impact.
Blackwell took over from Robson in such whirlwind fashion on Thursday that he has not even had time to discuss personal terms.
In theory, he took control of the side for the game against Premier League Middlesbrough for nothing, yet it seems inevitable he will thrash out a contract this week.
McCabe said Thursday that Blackwell was in charge until the end of the season but the chairman is thought to be keen to sign-up the new Blades boss on a three-year deal.
"Everything has happened so fast that contracts and wages have not been discussed yet," Blackwell said.
"To be honest I've been more concerned with preparing the team for the FA Cup game with Middlesbrough.
"I'd love to stay here for the next ten years! Obviously I won't be getting a contract for that long, but that is how committed I am to this club and making them successful."
He added: "I have no doubts we will sort things out. It will be a formality because there are no doubts or problems on either side."
Blackwell has also promised to wipe the slate clean and give everyone in his squad a fair chance to stake their claim for a place in his starting line-up.
The Blades have 14 league games remaining to launch a late push for promotion back to the Premier League and Blackwell added: "As far as I'm concerned everyone here starts with a clean slate.
"People will be given the chance to show me what they are capable of, but obviously it's a results driven business and we don't have long left to make the right sort of impact in the Championship.
"This club is geared-up for the Premiership and that is where it should be. I will be doing all I can to make sure that happens."
Boro manager Gareth Southgate faces a tricky selection dilemma ahead of this weekend's Premier League match with Liverpool.
He chose to leave record signing Afonso Alves on the bench in favour of Mido and Jeremie Aliadiere.
Brazilian Alves came on but struggled to make an impact, as did Aliadiere, and Southgate must now decide who is best suited to partner Mido when his side face Rafa Benitez's men, with supporters demanding to see as much as possible of the new signing, who has just cost their club more than 12 million pounds.
