Manager

Sheffield United re-appointed Chris Wilder as their manager in December 2023 to take over from Paul Heckingbottom. He previously stood at the Bramall Lane helm from 2016 to 2021.

The Blades decided Wilder was the best fit available to replace Heckingbottom amidst a dire Premier League term in 2023/24. Heckingbottom had overcome their troubled finances and a transfer ban to lead Sheffield United to promotion from the Championship earlier in 2023.

Wilder returned to Bramall Lane on an initial contract to June 2025 with the Blades bottom of the Premier League table. Heckingbottom had overseen 14 matches to open the season but only took one win. Sheffield United had drawn twice and conceded a league-high 39 goals.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder’s past coaching career

Prince Abdullah, Sheffield United’s owner, was free to replace Heckingbottom with Wilder as the coach was out of work. The Stocksbridge native had been without a job since May 2023 after leaving Watford. He parted with the Hornets following only 11 games at Vicarage Road.

Wilder had a similarly brief tenure at Middlesbrough from November 2021 to October 2022 after leaving Sheffield United. Prince Abdullah and Wilder agreed to part company in March 2021 amid a decline in results with Sheffield United battling relegation out of the top-flight.

Middlesbrough, however, sacked Wilder as they sat 22nd in the Championship table through 11 games with just two wins. While his spell at Vicarage Road saw Watford only win three of his 11 games. His time at Sheffield United finished with four defeats in his final five fixtures.

Wilder let Bramall Lane dream again through his initial tenure in charge of Sheffield United’s first-team squad, though. He took over with the club in the third tier and took them back to the top-flight. His arrival in 2016 was also a risk having only coached as high as League Two.

Chris Wilder started his coaching career with Alfreton Town

Alfreton Town gave Wilder his first chance as a head coach in October 2001 after retiring as a player. He then returned to Halifax Town, where the tactician hung up his boots, come July 2002. A switch to Oxford United then awaited Wilder in December 2008 until January 2014.

Oxford United were mired in non-league football when Wilder arrived but he took them into League Two in 2010. The U’s would firmly re-establish their position as a football league club under Wilder, as well. He took them to 12th, 10th, ninth and sixth place finishes until 2014.

Gradually improving Oxford United’s standing secured Wilder a move to Northampton Town in 2014. He again worked his magic to see the Cobblers climb up the table from finishing the 2013/14 term in 21st place to 12th and then the league title and promotion during 2015/16.

Yet Wilder would not oversee a single League One game at Northampton Town as he left for Sheffield United. But the Blades’ punt paid off as the South Yorkshire natives swept the title in 2016/17. Sheffield United even won the League One crown with 100 points and 30 wins.

Chris Wilder’s coaching career

Sheffield United (December 2023 – June 2025 expected)

Watford (March 2023 – May 2023)

Middlesbrough (November 2021 – October 2022)

Sheffield United (May 2016 – March 2021)

Northampton Town (January 2014 – May 2016)

Oxford United (December 2008 – January 2014)

Bury (assistant manager, July 2008 – December 2008)

Halifax Town (July 2002 – June 2008)

Alfreton Town (October 2001 – June 2002)

Chris Wilder’s playing career

Wilder enjoyed a 15-year playing career before the Sheffield United manager first embarked on a career as a head coach in 2001. His playing days started at Bramall Lane back in 1986, as well. The right-back quit his academy club Southampton to go home and join the Blades.

A move to Sheffield United marked a homecoming having been born in Stocksbridge before joining Southampton as a trainee. But Wilder did not enjoy a great start with the Blades as they endured relegation to Division Three in 1988. Yet top-flight football was back in 1990.

Sheffield United secured back-to-back promotions but sealed second place in Division Two without Wilder. He spent much of the 1989/90 campaign on loan to Walsall and also joined Charlton Athletic for 1990/91, plus some of 1991/92, before a loan spell with Leyton Orient.

Wilder eventually parted with Sheffield United in July 1992 to join Rotherham United. But it was only a detour as he returned to Bramall Lane in March 1998 after spells at Notts County and Bradford City. Yet his time at the Blades ended again in August 1999 after further loans.

Sheffield United sent Wilder away to Northampton Town and Lincoln City before he agreed to join Brighton & Hove Albion. His career then ended with a spell at Halifax Town between October 1999 and June 2001. Wilder then retired having not played for England at any level.

Chris Wilder at Sheffield United

Wilder is a Sheffield United legend due to his initial tenure as the Blades’ manager between May 2016 and March 2021. While his first time standing at the Bramall Lane helm ended on a disappointing note, he had taken the club up from the third tier and back to the top flight.

Sheffield United had been stuck in League One since 2011 before Wilder arrived and guided them to promotion straight away. He took over from Nigel Adkins on the back of their 11th-place finish in 2015/16. Yet Wilder’s side won the 2016/17 title with 30 wins and 100 points.

It only took Wilder two terms to secure Sheffield United promotion from the Championship, as well. The South Yorkshire side finished the 2017/18 campaign in 10th before securing the runners-up spot in 2018/19. Norwich City only beat the Blades to the title by just five points.

Premier League football then awaited Sheffield United for the first time since 2007. Yet they would not let 12 years of lower-tier football stop them from finishing the 2019/20 season in ninth. Wilder even led the club to the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2013/14.

But while Wilder repeated their FA Cup run in 2020/21, he could not repeat their results in the Premier League. Sheffield United ultimately finished the campaign down in 20th place with Heckingbottom standing in as the interim head coach. Wilder had lost 22 of his 28 fixtures.

Despite the disappointing end to Wilder’s initial tenure, his time in the Premier League with Sheffield United started brilliantly. His Blades side surprised and impressed the division with their dogged style and intricate play. Wilder always saw just playing the ball long as a Plan B.