Chris Wilder could leave Sheffield United depending on the outcome in the club’s ownership dispute.
This is according to Paul Downes QC, the barrister representing Kevin McCabe’s SUL group in the current High Court case.
McCabe and co-owner Prince Abdullah have been locked in a dispute about who should take control of the Blades since 2017.
Mr Downes was cross examining current chief executive Stephen Bettis. The Sheffield Star quotes:
“Mr Chris Wilder is emotionally attached to Sheffield United and feels a great deal of love and loyalty to Kevin McCabe personally.
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“Kevin McCabe has been attacked personally in this case and he is not going to stay, is he, if Prince Abdullah wins?”
It was added that Wilder was uncomfortable with the addition of Jan Van Winckel to the board in December 2017.
Could Chris Wilder leave Sheffield United?
(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
In April 2018 Wilder warned he could quit the club because of off-field problems.
“I want to go forward with this club, but I can’t do it all on my own. If it stays the same I don’t think anybody would be surprised if I didn’t question where my career was going,” the 51-year-old told the Yorkshire Post.
Wilder was convinced to stay and earned automatic promotion with the Blades. Although they are now preparing for the Premier League speculation continues about his future at Bramall Lane.
The Express and Star reports that both Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion are interested in Wilder. However, the Baggies are reluctant to wait around too long for him.
Slaven Bilic has now emerged as the favourite for the job, while Chris Hughton remains in the running.
Many would question why Wilder would leave a top flight club for the Championship. Especially as he is currently in charge of his boyhood side.
Yet the ownership dispute is clearly a problem and both West Brom and Boro represent ambitious clubs with plenty of resources.
