Chris Wilder set to agree new deal at Sheffield United

The 50-year-old’s future at Bramall Lane had been thrown into doubt last month amid boardroom wranglings between co-owners, Kevin McCabe and Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Both men, partners since 2013, are locked in a power struggle to take full control of the Blades.

Wilder, in the wake of his side missing out on the Championship play-offs following a late season dip in form, voiced concerns that the off-field wrangling was impacting on United’s ability to build on the progress made during his two years at the helm.

The lifelong supporter even hinted he may be tempted to walk away, a declaration that alerted relegated Sunderland.

It is understood the prospective new owners at the Stadium of Light subsequently made Wilder their top target to replace Chris Coleman this summer.

Now, however, those hopes appear to have been dashed with Wilder set to sign a new, extended deal to stay in south Yorkshire. Assistant Alan Knill and the rest of the backroom staff are also ready to sign new contracts.

The news will cheer Blades supporters who had grown more and more anxious that the manager who ended their six-year stint in League One could walk away.

Wilder’s willingness to commit his future to United follows a meeting last week between McCabe and Prince Abdullah in London to discuss their respective bids to take full control.

That matter is believed to be far from resolved but the pair were able to agree on the need to offer improved terms to Wilder and provide assurances for future.

One former Steel City manager definitely on the move is Carlos Carvalhal, who until Christmas had been the man in charge at Wednesday.

The Portuguese yesterday parted company with Swansea City, however, following the Welsh club’s relegation from the Premier League.

Appointed just three days after his departure from Hillsborough on a contract until the end of the season, Carvalhal won five of his first nine league games as the Swans climbed to 13th place.

However, a dreadful run-in that saw just three of the final 27 points on offer claimed brought Swansea’s seven-year stay among the elite to an end. It also sealed the fate of Carvalhal, who had hoped to stay on to lead a push for promotion.