Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has penned a new three-year deal at the club, commencing with immediate effect. Wilder is preparing to lead the Blades into the Premier League, the club’s first season in the top flight since 2006/07.
Chris Wilder Signs New Contract at Sheffield United
End of the Speculation
The new deal for Wilder brings speculation that he was lined up for the Newcastle United job to an end. The Magpies parted company with Rafael Benitez, much to the dislike of the fans, at the start of the month after they failed to agree terms on a new contract. He has since taken over at Chinese side Dalian Yifang.
Wilder was reported to be among the candidates for the St James’ Park hot seat, according to Tom Scargill of the Halifax Courier. However, with the 51-year-old, who was born in the Stocksbridge area of Sheffield, leading his boyhood club into the Premier League as the manager, it seemed likely that he would stay put at Bramall Lane.
Continuity
Chris Wilder took over at Sheffield United in May 2016 after successfully guiding Northampton Town to the League Two title. He then repeated the feat with the Blades in a higher division the very next season as they stormed to the League One title in 2016/17 – even reaching the 100-point mark.
Sheffield United were solid in their 2017/18 return to the Championship, finishing in tenth – only six points off the play-offs. However, nobody could have predicted the levels they wold kick onto in the season just gone. They were one of the front-runners for at least a play-off berth for the majority of the campaign but held their nerve just long enough to pip Leeds United to the second automatic spot behind Norwich City and seal a dramatic return to England’s top tier.
Now, with Wilder remaining at the helm, Sheffield United will be hoping they can defy the odds once more and retain their Premier League status in 2019/20.
What They Said
Speaking to the Sheffield United club website, chief executive officer Stephen Bettis said: “On behalf of the board, I’m delighted that the formalities have been concluded and Chris has been rewarded.
“Chris signing a new contract underpins everything we are attempting to do at Bramall Lane. He’s been the catalyst for our success over the past few years, he is a driven individual and his focus since promotion was secured has been preparing the club for the Premier League.”
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