<p>After a longer recruitment period than in recent times, David Weir was unveiled as the new first-team manager on the 10th June 2013. Signing a three year contract, it was communicated that the primary aim was to secure promotion and that the appointment was to be one for the long term – encouraging a change in club culture.</p>

<p>The board were confident that they had chosen the right man and were at pains to confirm that he was their number one choice and impressed with his overall vision for the future of the club.
Having impressed in his coaching spells thus far, Julian Winter told the fans that Weir presented a near identical blueprint as to how he would like the club to run and was an ideal match moving forward.</p>

<p>Weir was to begin his Blades career with a pre-season in his homeland and wins at Greenock Morton (match report & photos) and Raith Rovers (match report) sandwiched a draw with Cowdenbeath (match report & photos). Weir used the opportunity to see as many of his squad as possible, often changing the entire team at half time and changes in approach were evident from the off, with new warm up routines and a concentration on passing and possession football.</p>

<p>Weir and his management team talked a good game and on paper, it sounded like a positive approach by enthusiastic and confident individuals who had enjoyed long playing careers at the top of the game.</p>

<p>The league season kicked off with a positive start, United beating 10-man Notts County 2-1 in what was seen as an encouraging performance with Weir once again getting the best out of a rejuvenated Kevin McDonald.</p>

<p>As pleasing as the start was, unfortunately for the Blades and Weir himself, it was a diamond in the rough and was to be his only League win as Sheffield United manager. Kevin McDonald, who Weir had seemingly built his team and system around, departed for Wolves and a run of 13 games without a win in normal time plagued the start to his managerial career.</p>

<p>The only other victory Weir tasted as Sheffield United manager was a 5-3 win on penalties against Scunthorpe United in the Johnstones Paint Trophy after a drab 0-0 draw.</p>

<p>Despite the original calls of patience and long term change, the run simply couldn’t continue and on the 11th October 2013, Weir was sacked with United sitting 22nd in League One and the joint lowest scorers in the Football League. The sacking followed a defeat by League Two Hartlepool in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy sparking an awkward post match interview in which for the first time, Weir looked a broken man.</p>