Chris Wilder, a manager deeply rooted in the fabric of Sheffield United, now finds himself at a key point in his career, looking for his next managerial role.
His recent sacking from the Blades came as a considerable shock, reportedly blindsiding him despite leading the team to the Championship play-off final last season.
This unexpected departure resonated deeply, prompting Rob Holding to send a heartfelt message to Chris Wilder, while many of the Sheffield United fans expressed their disgust at the decision.
Having previously guided the Blades from League One to the Premier League in a remarkable rise, Wilder’s proven track record and strong pedigree in football make him a highly desirable candidate for clubs across the pyramid with promotion aspirations.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesSky Sports pundit Don Goodman tips Chris Wilder’s next job
Speaking exclusively to FLW, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has shared his thoughts on Chris Wilder joining the recently relegated side, Leicester City.
“I take Chris Wilder’s pedigree at Championship level, particularly, is still very high,” Goodman told FLW.
“Most people would probably feel he’s been treated very harshly by Sheffield United, and he accumulated 92 points if you add on the two points deducted last season, which is a brilliant record.”
Goodman then raised the question of Leicester City’s appeal: “So, the question is, is Leicester City going to be a hugely attractive job, how many points are they going to be deducted if they’re going to get points deducted?”
Leicester’s potential points deduction remains uncertain, with the club facing potential sanctions for Profit and Sustainability Rules breaches, with reports saying they could face a deduction of between four and 12 points at the start of the 2025/26 season.
Regardless of this situation, Goodman has backed the Foxes to have one of the strongest squads next season, and Wilder’s known ability could get the best out of them.
He said, “If they start on an even keel, then it would be an attractive job, you would suspect the owners are keen to bounce back at the first attempt, and in saying all of that, that would mean the name Chris Wilder should be someone that they’d be considering.”
Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty ImagesChris Wilder’s potential next destination
Chris Wilder hasn’t confirmed his next club yet. While Leicester City has been mentioned by the likes of Don Goodman, other clubs in the Championship might also be keen on him because of his great record.
These are currently just ideas and speculation about which clubs might welcome Wilder’s services if the time is right.
Preston North End are one club where there are growing questions about manager Paul Heckingbottom’s performance.
If they decide to make a change, Wilder could be seen as the experienced manager who can get more from Preston’s current players and help them aim higher.
Another team in Lancashire that could benefit from Wilder’s skills are Blackburn Rovers. Valerien Ismael’s time at Blackburn has been a bit up and down.
If their results start to drop again, Wilder would be a strong option. His past successes suggest he could help them push for a play-off spot.
Lastly, Barnsley is another potential destination. While it would be an expensive and bold move for them, Barnsley might show a lot of ambition by trying to get a manager with Wilder’s proven success.
This is especially true if their current manager, Conor Hourihane, continues to see poor results, leading them to want a fresh start.