Chris Wilder is said to be in the running for the top job at recently relegated Reading as per Alan Nixon via Patreon.
With Wilder’s contract coming to an end at Watford, he is reportedly in the frame to become the next Reading boss.
Relegated from the Championship, Reading will be preparing for life in League One, this will be the Royals first visit to the third tier since 2002.
According to Nixon, Wilder “wants to get back into work quickly after taking a gamble on helping out the Hornets”
Nixon also mentions that Reading’s budget is set to be “far tighter” and with a rebuild on their hands, it could prove a tricky job for whoever takes the role at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. With a number of names still in the running for the job. Notts County boss Williams was most recently linked.
Chris Wilder’s CV
Wilder has had seven jobs at the top of the tree at Alfreton, Halifax Town, Oxford United, Northampton, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Watford and has been an assistant manager once at Bury under Alan Knill.
He has three promotions to his name, the first came with Northampton, leading the Cobblers to League One in the 2015/2016 season.
The next two came with Sheffield United, arguably his most successful period as a manager, leading the Blades to promotion to Championship in 2016/2017 in his first year with the club. Before leading them to the Premier League in the 2018/2019 season.
During his time as a manager Wilder has taken charge of 597 games with a record of 263 Wins, 133 Draws, and 201 Loses. (Stats are correct as of his time in the top four leagues of English Football.)
Writer’s View
It would be a real statement from Reading if they were to bring in Wilder. The last few years certainly haven’t been his best but his CV speaks for itself. He has led teams to promotion from every one of the top four leagues.
Reading you’d imagine will want to make a swift return back to the Championship, I don’t think you can look too far past Wilder as a perfect candidate to lead them in their first season back in League One.
Whoever takes on the challenge it’s set to be a tough one, but an interesting one to watch for the neutral.
