Tony Cascarino says Chris Wilder was offered another job before signing a new contract at Sheffield United.
Wilder committed his future to the Blades a year ago by putting pen to paper on a deal to keep him as manager at Bramall Lane until 2024, with the option of a further year.
Yet Cascarino – the former player turned pundit, who is also a friend of the United boss – says there were other offers out there.
“He could have left the club,” the 58-year-old said on talkSPORT, as quoted by Yorkshire Live.
“He stayed loyal and signed a new deal with Sheffield United. I know he had another club out there, OK.
“He chose to stay at Sheffield United.”
Who is the other club Cascarino speaks of?
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Towards the end of 2019, three Premier League managerial jobs became available.
One was Arsenal, although Mikel Arteta seemed to be the Gunners’ first choice as head coach after sacking Unai Emery.
Another was Everton, who appointed Carlo Ancelotti. With all due respect to Wilder, the Italian was unlikely to have been below him on their list of candidates.
Which leaves one final option – West Ham United.
A short time before Manuel Pellegrini was eventually sacked, Wilder was linked with the role at The London Stadium.
The rumours went on for some time, before the Hammers finally gave up on their pursuit of the 53-year-old.
Instead they turned to David Moyes, who had been out of a job since leaving West Ham in the summer of 2018.
Moyes has done well since returning as boss, with the East London club currently in the top 10.
That was a position the Blades occupied when Wilder was being linked, with the South Yorkshire side eventually finishing ninth in their first Premier League season in 12 years.
This campaign has been very different, with them currently bottom of the table with just two points from 17 games.
Yet what Cascarino is clearly pointing out is that Wilder previously showed the club loyalty and now deserves the same back. Not many Blades fans would disagree with that.