Former Sheffield United owner Kevin McCabe thinks that Chris Wilder is a better Sheffield United manager than Neil Warnock.
Before this season Warnock was the last person to guide the Blades into the Premier League. They lasted one year, relegated on the final day of the 2006/07 campaign.
Warnock left that summer and United would spend the next 12 years trying to rediscover their form. It wasn’t until Wilder was appointed as boss that their fortunes began to change.
Heading into their sixth successive season in League One and on the back of an 11th place finish the previous year, Wilder took charge in May 2016.
Two promotions in three years followed and they have made a solid start to life back in the top flight. The point they picked up with a 1-1 draw at West Ham United at the weekend lifted the Blades to eighth in the table after ten games.
Why Wilder is better for Sheffield United than Warnock
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Warnock and Wilder are in an exclusive club of just three people who have managed United in the Premier League. The other was Dave Bassett, who was in charge during the first two seasons of the division’s rebranding.
While McCabe is clearly a fan of Bassett’s, when it comes to the other two there is obviously no comparison in his eyes.
“Chris has effervescence, energy and desire but the real key word is he’s instinctive,” he told the Times.
“Warnock would set out not to lose. Chris sets out to win. Neil’s not got Chris’s wisdom. He’s top class.”
McCabe was the man who brought Wilder to Bramall Lane, but he is no longer involved at the club after losing the High Court battle to former co-owner Prince Abdullah.
McCabe was ordered to sell his stake in the club to the Saudi prince for £5m. Yet the future of Wilder will not be affected.
“I had a long telephone call with Chris the day after the decision, because he asked what happens next? I said, ‘Don’t worry about me, just keep this club up.’ I think he’ll keep us up,” McCabe continued.