Ron Atkinson will be installed as Sheffield Wednesday manager for the second time in eight years this morning fully aware that his reign may be short and not so sweet.

Six years after he controversially walked out on the South Yorkshire club to take over at Aston Villa, the 58-year-old Atkinson will return to Hillsborough as successor to David Pleat who was dismissed 11 days ago after Wednesday had sunk to the bottom of the Premiership.

Although Atkinson will be in charge until the end of the season he could well be replaced in the summer if the current Barnsley manager Danny Wilson decides to seek a fresh challenge.

Wilson, a former Wednesday player, was believed to be the first choice to succeed Pleat before insisting he was definitely to remain at Oakwell to oversee Barnsley's first season in English football's top flight.

But, if Barnsley were relegated back to the First Division next May, Wilson could well be tempted to accept an invitation from the Wednesday chairman Dave Richards.

Atkinson has accepted a lucrative, if short-term, deal, and agreed that both he and his new employers will renew their options in six months.

Guardian Service