Wilder tipped to seal multiple Ancelotti-style signings if appointed Celtic boss – Whelan
Chris Wilder may raid his old side Sheffield United if he is appointed Celtic manager – just like Carlo Ancelotti when he joined Everton.
That is according to ex-Scottish Premiership striker Noel Whelan, speaking exclusively to Football Insider with Wilder now the bookmakers’ favourite to land the vacant managerial position at Celtic Park.
The 53-year-old was dismissed by Sheffield United on Friday with the Blades rock-bottom of the Premier League table.
Celtic have been without a fixed manager since Neil Lennon’s resignation in February, with John Kennedy placed in temporary control.
Whelan forecasts that Wilder won’t hesitate to raid his old side if he is appointed Parkhead boss, just as Everton boss Ancelotti did in signing Allan and James Rodriguez from his former clubs.
He told Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs: “I think it would be a decent appointment. He knows how to get the best out of players. I think he’ll prise some players away from certain clubs, from Sheffield Untied no doubt.
“Like when Ancelotti signed for Everton, he’ll know his tried and trusted and he’ll try and prize them away.
“Who knows what’s going to have to happen with Sheffield United and contracts and money when they drop back down.
“There’s going to have to be some restructuring, especially after this year with Covid. They are in the Premier League and will be getting their parachute payments but they have felt the pinch like everybody else.
“At some point, they’ll need to balance the books. They won’t be going out spending the £20million that the spent last year. We may see a lot of outgoings and maybe Celtic could capitalise on that.”
Wilder spent five years with Sheffield United, overseeing a remarkable rise from the third-tier to the top-flight.
Paul Heckingbottom and Jason Tindall have been appointed as a caretaker team at Brammall Lane until the end of the season.
In other news, a top pundit has lauded potential incoming Celtic director of football Fergal Harkin for his superb book of contacts.