Chris Wilder Out? Who Will Sheffield United Replace Him With?
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Chris Wilder Out? Who Will Sheffield United Replace Him With?

Chris Wilder Out? Who Will Sheffield United Replace Him With?

While he may be Mr. Sheffield United himself, Chris Wilder is not immune to criticism. Despite earning the Blades 92 points across the regular season - usually enough to secure automatic promotion - and inserting his side into the title conversation until the final weeks of the season, Wilder’s job is now reportedly at risk, with the play-off final defeat to Sunderland seemingly acting as the final straw for the United board.

Earlier today, the Blades’ board met to review Wilder’s position as head coach - a meeting which on the face of it, seems a little harsh. The only reason Wilder and co. didn’t escape the Championship automatically was due to a Burnley and Leeds becoming the first dual centurions in football history, and in the play-offs, his side were equally unlucky, coming up against an inspired Sunderland.

However, football is a notoriously cut-throat business, and when all is said and done, results speak louder than anything else, even managers themselves. While Wilder may not deserve it, Blades fans may need to start preparing for a new era.

But how did we get here? What is the history between Wilder and Sheffield United? And who is qualified enough to take the mantle from a club icon such as Wilder?

Wilder x Sheffield United

Across his 17 year managerial career, Wilder, who looks every bit as forged in steel as the club itself, has been head coach of Sheffield United for seven of them, spread across two spells, and with the Englishman in charge, the club reached highs the supporters hadn’t seen in decades.

A League One title, followed by promotion from the Championship two years later culminated in a ninth placed Premier League finish in 2020, in their first top flight campaign since 2007. They were just two points away from delivering European football, and would have done had they beaten Southampton on the final day.

Fired for the first time the following season as the Blades’ second season slump pushed them close to relegation, Wilder was called back in December of 2023 as the club, once again heading towards Premier League relegation, resigned themselves to their fate and started preparing for Championship football.

It was a popular decision, and one that worked - in seven of the last eleven seasons, 92 points would have proven enough for any side to bypass the gauntlet that is the Championship play-offs, sending them up automatically.

However, Burnley and Leeds’ unprecedented prowess saw Wilder’s team fall short, and they had to settle for play-offs. However, finishing 14 points clear of their nearest play-off competitor, they were still considered favourites to go up, despite boasting a truly rotten record at Wembley.

Beating Bristol City in the semi-finals 6-0 across two legs, Sheffield carried all the momentum into the showpiece game held at Wembley, and many expected them to sweep Sunderland aside.

Things started well, as Tyrese Campbell put the Blades ahead after 25 minutes - a lead they would hold for another 50 minutes. However, a stunning late turnaround, complete with a 90+5 Tom Watson winner, put paid to Wilder’s promotion hopes.

And now this is where we find ourselves. Wilder’s job, fairly or unfairly, hangs in the balance - should he be dismissed, who would be the number one candidate to take over?

Sean Dyche - No Club

Previous Jobs - Watford, Burnley, Everton

A proven winner at Championship level, topping the table with Burnley in 2016, Dyche would see Sheffield revert back to footballing basics - 4-4-2, long balls forward, and two target men up top.

Dyche’s methods may not have brought so much success at the top level, but he still achieved a sole seventh place finish with the Clarets in 2018, enough to earn them a spot in the Europa League qualification stage.

It remains to be seen whether Dyche is willing to drop down a level to return to management, as he hasn’t managed outside the top flight since 2016, but having the ex-Everton manager in the dugout would undoubtedly be a huge coup, and it would be a move that would bring stability and consistency.

Gary O’Neil - No Club

Previous Jobs - Bournemouth, Wolves

42-year-old O’Neil was seen as one of the country's brightest up and coming managers just two years ago. He convincingly steered a newly-promoted Bournemouth side to Premier League survival in 2023, a job he did so effectively he was appointed as Wolves manager just two months later.

Guiding Wolves to a 14th placed finish in his first season, things started to unravel at the start of the second, and in December 2024, O’Neil was sacked with the club sat in 19th place.

The Sheffield United job would pose as the ideal role to reignite his managerial career - the job itself is high profile, and with the players at his disposal, it is unlikely they would finish outside of the play-off spots, giving O’Neil an immediate opportunity to underline his promotion credentials.

Danny Rohl - Sheffield Wednesday

Previous Jobs - None

Danny Rohl has impressed many during his short time with the Blades’ rivals. Taking over at Wednesday when they were rock bottom of the Championship, fresh from a League One promotion, he had carried them to safety by the end of the season, finishing three points above relegated Birmingham.

This season, The Owls have gone from strength to strength under Rohl, finishing 12th, and reestablishing themselves as a competitive second tier side. Should he stay at the club going into next season, Rohl will certainly have one eye on the play-off spots.

It would be immensely difficult to pry Rohl away from their direct local rivals, but with a squad capable of promotion, and with managers keen to put promotion on their CV, you can never say never. The young German coach would be able to start making waves if he succeeds Wilder on the other side of Sheffield.

Javi Gracia - No Club

Previous Jobs - Leeds, Al-Sadd, Valencia, Rubin Kazan, Osasuna, Almeria, Cadiz, Cordoba, Malaga

Hiring the former Leeds manager would replace the invaluable Championship experience that Wilder would take with him, while he also boasts Premier League experience, gathered in his time at Watford between 2018 and 2019.

Gracia has been unemployed for the best part of two years now, and will slowly become more and more keen on returning to the dugout.

As a manager with no club, he will be a lot easier to negotiate with, and although the Spaniard doesn’t have a history of winning trophies, he is a steady hand that will be able to guide Sheffield to or close to where they need to be next season.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Harry Pascoe

Lead Writer

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