Sheffield United are preparing to sack Paul Heckingbottom this weekend and Chris Wilder has met with the board this week over a return.
Wilder left the club in March 2021 and has since had unsuccessful spells with Middlesbrough and Watford. He fell out with United owner Prince Abdullah when he left but has apparently repaired any differences the duo had.
And now, according to TeamTalk, Wilder is ready to sign a three-year contract and return as Blades boss.
Sheffield United to appoint Chris Wilder
TeamTalk is reporting in their exclusive report today that Wilder has met with the board twice this week and is ready to take over if Heckingbottom goes.
It’s suggested a defeat of any sort at Arsenal this weekend will see Heckingbottom shown the door, with the board apparently concerned at the level of performance on display.
Indeed, the 8-0 hammering by Newcastle has proven hard to come back from for Heckingbottom and it now looks like his race is run.
There is also the lingering injury problem at the club, with some believing Heckingbottom’s training methods are partly to blame for such issues.
Sheffield United News View: It all stinks a bit
If there’s one thing Paul Heckingbottom deserves, it’s to be treated with a bit of dignity.
The fact these reports are coming out suggests someone at the club is leaking information to the media and if Wilder has indeed met with officials without Hecky knowing, then that stinks, frankly.
There’ll be some who welcome Wilder back with open arms. Your writer here is not so sure.
Wilder enjoyed huge success and it was one of the best periods in United history. But that was then, and things are a lot different now at the club.
Sure, he might provide a mini spark. But in the end, it might just fizzle out like it did last time.
You do have to feel sorry for Heckingbottom here. Results haven’t been good enough. But this speculation about Wilder is not what he deserves heading into the weekend.