Chris Wilder still waiting for Sheffield United talks

Last weekend, the Blades chief called for “direction and clarity” from the boardroom, as the ownership tug-of-war between Kevin McCabe and co-owner Prince Abdullah Bin Mosa’ad Abdulaziz Al Saud looks set to rumble on into the summer.

And Wilder warned he could quit his boyhood club if the ownership issue is not swiftly resolved.

But six days later, and Wilder - this week linked with the Sunderland job - confirmed today there has been no official dialogue with either of the owners.

“I have not had any dialogue with the owners,” said Wilder. “That’s their option as owners. I don’t drive them.

“It’s not a war against one owner or the other, just my view speaking as the figurehead from the players, staff and supporters’ point of view.

“It’s quite a unique situation I find myself in at this football club, because of my history here, not just as an employee but as somebody who wants this club to go forward.

“The owners have the right to take their time, about whether they want to talk to me. That’s their decision.

“When I extended my contract in the summer, did I think we would be speaking like this 12 months later? Absolutely not.”

Wilder said he had not received any contact from Sunderland - to replace Chris Coleman - but accepted speculation linking him to other jobs was inevitable, due to his uncertain future at United.

“I am not going to retract from what I said after the game last weekend,” he said.

“We all have choices, we all have options as players, managers or supporters who opt to come watch Sheffield United.

“I don’t know what lies ahead, I think that’s always applicable when you work in football.

“I have had it as a player and a manager, who knows what the future holds.

“I said my piece last week, It was thought through, from the heart, because it is my football club.

“I won’t take a step back from what I said. With that will always come speculation about any job that’s up there. This happens in football, and there maybe a few more jobs that become available and then get linked.

“I can’t do anything about the speculation. What I am trying to do is obviously look for, and gain, clarity and direction at what is happening at this football club.”

The Blades travel to Bristol City on Sunday for the final game of the Championship season.