Chris Wilder’s honest admission over Sheffield United future after conversations with Blades’ new co-owners

Chris Wilder’s honest admission over Sheffield United future after conversations with Blades’ new co-owners’.

Chris Wilder has stated that his future with Sheffield United is “not important” as he enters the final six months of his current contract at Bramall Lane. The Blades manager is under contract at his boyhood club until next summer, and it is one of several urgent issues on the minds of new owners Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy.

They are said to have been impressed with Wilder’s leadership since relegation last season, bringing the Blades to joint-top of the Championship at the halfway stage after winning more games and points than any other team in the second division. Only a two-point deduction at the start of the season deprived the Blades an outright top spot after 23 games, but there is much more work to be done in the second half of the season, especially with United’s dwindling roster pushed even thinner by a slew of unfortunate injuries.

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Wilder was set to meet Rosen and Eltoukhy again earlier this week for a more in-depth discussion about their January recruitment plans, having previously met with the Americans before and after their £105 million deal to buy the Blades from Prince Abdullah was completed just before Christmas. “They’ve not been long conversations,” Wilder said.
“Ten minutes before the Sheffield Wednesday game, 20 minutes [before Boxing Day’s home defeat to Burnley]. I’ve been kept informed by [CEO] Steve Bettis, and I think the new owners’ statement nailed what we want to be.

“We want to be ambitious and definitely aspire to enter the Premier League, but there are many other clubs doing the same. We’ve got a good start, and I believe people acknowledge the good job that’s been done. I’m confident they’re here to operate the club as efficiently as possible while also serving as good custodians.

“There are a lot of positive things going there, which is why people want to get engaged. Hopefully, they’ll work with everyone to move it forward.

When asked if the uncertainty around his own future could have an impact on United’s attempt for an immediate return to the Premier League, Wilder responded, “No.” Listen, I have no control over any of that. I just get up early every morning, go home late, and work as hard as I can to help the football club. My status is not important. It is part of the club’s short, medium, and long-term goals and objectives.

“I’m delighted to work here. I’ve had a great time thus far, and I believe it reflects what we’re trying to achieve with new players coming through, as well as the results and performances. You can’t win all the time, but we have a good team that is headed in the right path. I believe everyone, particularly the new owners, realizes this.

When asked if he would be willing to wait until the future to decide his future at Bramall Lane, Wilder admitted: “Well, that is out of my control, isn’t it? It’s up to others to decide. I’ll just keep waking up early in the morning and returning home late in the evening.”