After weeks of speculation, Sheffield United are set to formally announce the departure of manager Chris Wilder in the coming days, according to Sky Sports.
Rumours of the 57-year-old’s exit from Bramall Lane have been doing the rounds since the end of last month following his failure to secure promotion to the Premier League. Although the Blades received a two point deduction prior to the start of the season, they still picked up an impressive 90 points. However, Leeds United and Burnley both finished 10 points clear to condemn Wilder’s side to the play-offs.
They breezed past Bristol City in the semi final, winning both legs 3-0. Fourth-placed Sunderland awaited in the final and the Black Cats emerged victorious courtesy of a 95th minute winner from Tommy Watson.
Wilder Decision Made
It was widely reported last week that owners COH Sports had opted to part company with the former Middlesbrough boss. It was claimed by respected journalists Miguel Delaney and John Percy that the decision had been made following an end of season review and an announcement was due imminently.
The weekend offered no fresh updates, although it was claimed that former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil and ex-Hull City head coach Ruben Selles were in the frame to succeed Wilder. Sky Sports have now backed up last week’s news that United are indeed searching for a new man to take the team forward, although it is unlikely to be O’Neil.
Sky Sports News understands that Chris Wilder will be sacked by Sheffield United following their end of season review 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Q2yCV59hc3
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 17, 2025
The report states that the 42-year-old was considered as a potential replacement but the club have decided to go in a different direction. Furthermore, it is said that Wilder retains an excellent relationship with the ownership, but that has not been enough to see him keep his job.
Writer’s View
Whichever way you look at this, the decision to sack Chris Wilder is a harsh one. Admittedly, he arrived for his second stint in the dugout at Bramall Lane prior to COH Sports’ takeover in late 2024, and are said to want to bring in their preferred option. Still, the 90 points they acquired last season would have been enough to achieve promotion in eight of the last ten Championship seasons and they only fell due to two teams breaking the 100 point barrier. Wilder will feel hard done by and it’s a decision which is likely to divide supporters. It will be interesting to see who the club have in mind to succeed the three-time promotion winner.
