Chris Wilder returns to Sheffield United for third spell at the club

Chris Wilder has returned to Sheffield United for a third spell as manager, just three months after his abrupt dismissal by the club’s American owners, COH Sports. The 57-year-old replaces Ruben Selles, whose disastrous tenure ended after six consecutive league defeats left the Blades rooted to the bottom of the Championship.

Selles’ reign reached its nadir with Friday’s 5-0 humiliation at Ipswich, prompting United to act swiftly. Wilder, a lifelong supporter and club legend, has been handed a contract until 2027, with the board hailing his “proven leadership and unparalleled understanding” of Bramall Lane.

The decision, reported by BBC Sport, represents a sharp U-turn from COH Sports, who had sacked Wilder in June following play-off heartbreak against Sunderland. That campaign had seen United amass 90 points, only to fall short at Wembley. His departure divided opinion, but the disastrous Selles experiment has forced the hierarchy into a rare public admission of error.

A manager who knows the club

Wilder’s bond with the Blades is deep-rooted. A former defender, he first joined the club as a player in 1986 before returning as manager in 2016. He guided United from League One to the Premier League within three years and oversaw a remarkable ninth-place top-flight finish in 2019-20, their best in nearly half a century. Though his second spell ended in relegation, Wilder remains a revered figure among fans.

The challenge now is formidable, although Wilder does have time on his side with 40 games of the season remaining. Wilder’s first game in charge will be on Saturday when his side will face Charlton Athletic at Bramall Lane.

GFN | Finn Entwistle

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