Prem icon threatens to ‘throw a right hook’ if he sees manager again | Football | Sport

Lee Hendrie has revealed he “might give a right hook” to former Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell if he were to see his old boss again. The Aston Villa club icon remains “infuriated” by the treatment he endured at Bramall Lane before being sold in 2009.

Hendrie, 48, was approaching the twilight of his professional career when Blackwell replaced Bryan Robson at the United helm in 2008. The former Leeds and Luton coach made an example of certain senior players, banishing Hendrie to train with the reserves, a decision that continues to anger the ex-Premier League midfielder to this day.

“If I start to hench up and I do come across him, I might end up giving him a right hook,” said Hendrie on In The Mixer.

Hendrie joined Sheffield United from Villa in 2007, following 11 consecutive seasons in the top flight. He viewed the step down to the Championship as merely a temporary measure, believing the Blades had the quality to win promotion.

Yet his own prospects of playing a pivotal role in that ambition were swiftly undermined by Blackwell. And despite their working relationship having concluded nearly two decades ago, Hendrie still speaks of the coach in the most unflattering of terms.

“He was a c**k,” Hendrie continued. “And I don’t know what even possessed him to be the way he was. With the players that he did it to, not just me. There was Keith Gillespie, David Cotterill…

“How on earth one of us didn’t knock him out….It was beyond the way he treated us. Obviously he got sacked, Robbo did. And then Blackwell came in.”

Hendrie revealed there was a brief glimmer of hope when he spotted a recognisable face amongst Blackwell’s coaching staff. However, his initial optimism swiftly proved to be misplaced.

“Sam Ellis I’d worked with at Stoke. He was one of the coaches also,” he added. “I thought, ‘Not too bad. I know Sam, you know me’. Ended up being a c**k as well. Two c***s in the changing room.”

Ultimately, Hendrie joined Leicester and Blackpool on loan from Sheffield United in 2008. He subsequently departed Bramall Lane permanently for Derby County in 2009, having made just 26 appearances for the Blades.