New Blades boss Weir assures supporters he will work hard and ‘give everything’ to succeed

The appointment of the former Scotland international, 43, who has signed a three-year-deal, ended a lengthy process to find the long-term replacement for Danny Wilson, with Weir now assigned with reinvigorating a club arguably at their lowest ebb since the late 1980s.

Weir – who has left his post as Everton’s reserve-team coach – will be officially introduced to the media this afternoon and says he cannot hide his excitement after being named as the Blades’ seventh permanent manager in the past seven years.

He said: “My first thoughts about the job are of excitement. I understand how privileged I am to be named manager of a fantastic football club like Sheffield United.

“I realise what a great opportunity is in front of me now and my message to the supporters is that I will work hard and give everything to be successful at Bramall Lane.

“I honestly can’t wait to get started and get a real feel for the club. Then, obviously, I am eager to get organised for when the players return to pre-season training later this month.”

The decision to appoint Weir, a late entrant in the race to become the club’s next manager, came almost nine weeks after the Blades parted company with Wilson, with chief executive Julian Winter admitting the search had taken longer than they hoped.

The likes of Motherwell manager Stuart McCall and Graham Arnold, in charge of A-League side Central Coast Mariners, have rebuffed interest from the Blades, while former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate, ex-Portsmouth and Blackburn manager Michael Appleton and one-time Blades players Robert Page, Wally Downes and Keith Curle were among several others spoken to.

Confident the Blades have finally landed the right man – and defending the time span involved – Winter said: “The process of appointing a new manager has taken slightly longer than we envisaged, but by taking our time, we believe we have attracted the right man to take Sheffield United forward.

“We are thrilled to appoint David and the three-year contract emphasises the fact that he will assist in a change in club culture.

“I have stated before that the club needs to act differently and David is young, has a great pedigree and will bring a new vision and leadership to the club.”

Weir will have to work within tight wage parameters at Bramall Lane, with the club’s playing budget having been cut following the failure to clinch promotion back to the Championship in 2012-13.

This has left the club vulnerable to raids from higher division clubs for their much sought-after duo of highly-rated defender Harry Maguire and England Under-20 goalkeeper George Long, and Weir faces a potential battle to keep hold of them this summer.

Meanwhile, football club chairman David Green insists the Blades’ board will back Weir all they can in his quest for success.

He said: “It is sincerely hoped that the appointment of David will reinvigorate the club, including the supporters, and he can rest assured that he has the full backing of the board.”

No announcement has yet been made regarding the make-up of Weir’s backroom staff, but it has been confirmed that Chris Morgan – placed in temporary charge following Wilson’s departure and a candidate to land the post on a full-time basis – will revert to his former role as first-team coach.

David Weir Factfile

Born: May 10, 1970, Falkirk, Scotland.

Playing position: Central defender.

Club record

1992-1996: Falkirk 133 appearances (8 goals).

1996-1999: Hearts 116 appearances (12 goals).

1999-2007: Everton 235 appearances (10 goals).

2007-2012: Rangers 143 appearances (4 goals).

Total:587 (30)

International record

1997- 2010: Scotland 69 appearances (1 goal)

Coaching career

2012-2013: Everton academy and reserve teams.

2013: Takes over as manager of Sheffield United.