West Ham vice-chairman, Karren Brady, has heaped the praise on Sheffield United and Chris Wilder.
However, despite being happy for the Blades and their boss, Brady has also admitted to being jealous of the story that’s going on at Bramall Lane under Wilder.
Karren Brady has been impressed with Sheffield United and Chris Wilder. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Writing in her column for the Sun this weekend, Brady pointed out the boom in home-grown managers in the Premier League.
In her comments, she cited the likes of Wilder as being among the success stories of recent years. But, while her own West Ham team continue to struggle, Brady said she was jealous of the Blades.
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“Like many another director, I’m jealous the Blades have made such progress under a man who has worn the badge of his club with such pride for all of his 52 years,” Brady said.
Wilder was one of the names mentioned by a number of pundits when Manuel Pellegrini was under pressure a few months back.
The Hammers, though, opted to go with David Moyes in place of the former Man City boss.
And while Brady will be content with the job Moyes is trying to do, she praised how Wilder has changed the ethos at Bramall Lane.
“Sheffield United’s impact on the Premier League was, until this season, as fleeting as springtime snow. Mind you, actor Sean Bean did brighten the gloom slightly. Starring as a supporter in the film When Saturday Comes, broadcasting in a genuine home-made Sheffield accent, too.
“Wilder has changed all those worrying Saturdays.”
High praise indeed
Everyone knows that the Blades and the Hammers don’t have the best relationship.
Indeed, the aforementioned Bean was at the forefront of a campaign by ex-United chairman, Kevin McCabe, to try and have the Hammers punished as United were relegated in 2007.
Sean Bean was at the front of a bitter battle between Sheffield United and West Ham. (Photo by Bruno Vincent/Getty Images)
But this is now over a decade on. Both clubs are going through contrasting fortunes. Brady, then, could hardly ignore Wilder and United if she was going to talk about top British coaches.
For Wilder, it will be just another comment to not take much notice of. For the Sheffield United fans, on the other hand, it will be a sweet moment to have the powers that be at West Ham singing their own club’s praises.
