Exclusive: Chris Wilder in advanced talks to re-join Sheffield United in stunning move
Sheffield United are in advanced talks to reappoint former manager Chris Wilder, sources have told Football Insider.
This follows the news that Ruben Selles has been sacked by the Blades after an abysmal start to life at Bramall Lane, with an official announcement expected imminently.
Yesterday (13 September), Football Insider exclusively revealed that Sheffield United were plotting a sensational return for Wilder, just three months after he was sacked.
Now sources say that talks are rapidly advancing and a full agreement is close, with the 57-year-old set for a third spell in charge of his boyhood club.
Wilder holds no grudges after Sheffield United dismissal
Sheffield United’s US owners received heavy criticism for their decision to sack Wilder back in June, following his failure to lead the club to the Premier League.
The Blades were beaten by Sunderland in the play-off final, meaning that despite accruing 90 points across the course of the 2024-25 campaign, they were subjected to another season in the Championship.
Despite his unceremonious exit, sources say that Wilder holds no grudges against the owners at Sheffield United and is prepared to forgive and forget in order to return to Bramall Lane.
It was believed that the hierarchy at the Sheffield club wanted a move towards a more modern strategy, embracing new data and technologies, but so far, the change in philosophy has proved catastrophic.
Wilder has huge task to turn Sheffield United around
Sheffield United currently sit rock bottom of the Championship, and have lost five out of five games so far this season, scoring just one goal.
Selles failed to get a tune out of a very talented squad and has ultimately paid the price for what has been a disastrous start.
A 5-0 defeat to Ipswich Town proved to be the final straw for the Blades’ hierarchy, with a drastic change viewed as the only way to get the club back on track.
Wilder, despite his prolonged history with Sheffield United, has a huge task on his hands, turning around the fortunes of a side clearly devoid of confidence.
The Englishman will likely revert back to basics and ensure that United are far better defensively, to try and dispel any mounting fears of relegation to League One.