Sheffield United chairman, Prince Musa’ad bin Khalid Al Saud, previously likened the club to Burnley.
Speaking around a year ago and shortly after being appointed to the role by owner Prince Abdullah, the 27-year-old outlined what the fans could expect under the new ownership.
Prince Musa’ad told View From The John Street at the time: “There is an opportunity to develop the club and move it on to the next level.
“But we are not going to do that by threatening financial stability. We’re not going to be a Fulham or a Stoke.
“If we were to find ourselves back in the Championship, and I don’t think we will. We don’t want to be burdened by big wages which kills clubs in those circumstances.
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“It’s gradual steps but the stability and well-being of the club must never be threatened.”
The chairman was of course referring to Fulham when they were promoted to the Premier League before this season. And were immediately relegated back to the Championship.
Instead he said they would take the approach of Burnley, who have been fair more frugal in terms of transfer fees and wages. Despite this, the Clarets are currently midway through their fifth successive top flight campaign.
In terms of going down, Prince Musa’ad’s comments are much more relevant to this term.
The Blades have made the worst start in Premier League history. After losing to Leicester City on Sunday, they are bottom of the table with just one point and 10 defeats from 11 games.
They are already six points from safety.
Sheffield United chairman should look to Burnley for more inspiration
While Prince Musa’ad wasn’t referring to this, United should copy Burnley if they do go down in 2020/21 in terms of their approach to management.
By that we mean they should stick with the boss who has taken them down – because he’s the most likely to bring them straight back up.
Despite guiding them to two promotions and their highest league position since 1992 during his first four years in charge at Bramall Lane, some are questioning if Chris Wilder should still be manager.
Which perhaps shouldn’t come as a surprise considering his team’s current form.
In a bid to save the club from the drop, many chairmen will sack the manager. Even if they stick with them to the end of the campaign, if they do get relegated this will then often happen before the new one starts.
Both Bournemouth and Watford changed bosses before the start of this new term, for example.
But the Clarets bucked the trend in 2014/15 when they went down after one year in the top flight. The Lancashire club stuck with Sean Dyche and he took them straight back up at the first time of asking.
Dyche, of course, remains in charge at Turf Moor.
Norwich City have taken a similar approach with Daniel Farke and are currently top of the Championship.
If the worst happens and the Blades do suffer the drop, then they too should stick with Wilder.
The 53-year-old more than deserves it. He has, after all, proven he can do it before.
