Football not politics now for Wilder, after agreeing new Sheffield United deal

Chris Wilder has ended weeks of speculation by pledging his future to Sheffield United.
Chris WilderChris Wilder
Chris Wilder

A boardroom tug-of-war between co-owners Kevin McCabe and Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud had left Blades manager Wilder frustrated with a perceived lack of direction and leadership at Bramall Lane.

The lifelong Blades supporter even hinted he could be forced to quit unless he was given assurances over United’s future plans following promotion from League One and an impressive first season back in the Championship.

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It prompted links with several jobs, including at Sunderland, but Wilder has ended the uncertainty by signing a 12-month contract extension to take him to the end of the 2020-21 season.

After meetings with McCabe and Prince Abdullah – who have been fighting for control at Bramall Lane for several months – Wilder was convinced the Blades could match his own ambitions of chasing Premier League football and has been handed an improved transfer budget as United look to better last season’s 10th-placed finish.

“I would like to think this sounds out a message to all of our supporters, who have backed us tremendously,” said Wilder.

“It was important to get it sorted, 100 per cent.

“There has been lengthy discussions with the owners. I am delighted we are all on the same page.

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“The biggest thing is the future of this football club and I have never hid away from wanting to make sure it’s going in the right direction.

“We have had two fantastic seasons, we have been talking about a new contract for quite a while – with both owners – and I am delighted they have put their trust in me.

“I had to make the right decision and I believe I have.

“The owners understand my feelings and have assured me things will move on and forward. If you stand still in football, you go backwards.

“We have to move forward, it’s an increasingly tough division, but one which we competed in very, very well last year and will be looking to do this year,” said Wilder, whose backroom team of assistant manager Alan Knill, goalkeeping coach Darren Ward, coach Matt Prestridge and head of recruitment Paul Mitchell have also signed contract extensions.

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The Blades had one of the lowest budgets in the Championship last season and while Wilder admits United will not be making any “head-turning” offers for players this summer, he is determined to maximise his increased transfer kitty.

United’s squad are all under contract and Wilder insists he wants to bring in “quality reinforcements” before the new season kicks off in August.

“We will try and get the maximum out of what we have been given,” said Wilder. “I am grateful the owners have found money to improve the budget.

“I am not talking out of turn, it’s not going to be head-turning where we are blowing everybody out of the water.

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“But we will go about our work diligently, we will try to improve the squad with quality signings.

“To get quality signings through the door we might have to pay a little bit more than we have had to (previously).

“We will still look at League Two and League One, but now as we look to improve we have to add quality to the players we have already got.

“We are looking at a division where I know nine or 10 clubs are possibly close to a transfer embargo. Clubs are writing off big money, left, right and centre.

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“I have always said that I would never put the club at risk, but I am ambitious and the owners know that.

“What they have given me, hopefully I can get the maximum out and make us better than what we were last year.”

After his brief foray into boardroom politics, Wilder is happy to return his attention to footballing matters.

“It wasn’t done for any personal gain,” insisted Wilder. “It was a genuine concern. I made my feelings plain and clear to them. I wanted to be part of an organisation that was together, wanted to move forward and succeed.

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“I wouldn’t have signed if I didn’t think those assurances were going to be met. I am sure they will be.

“I was very reluctant to get involved in the politics, but these things do happen.

“Both the owners deserve an enormous amount of credit for putting their disagreements behind, for the future of the football club. I appreciate their support and their backing.

“Whatever happens in the future now it’s none of my business. I have been given assurances that the club will be run properly and correct, and I will be able to get on with my job.

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“We have been given funds to improve the team and I think we are in a great position. We don’t want to be left behind.

“It’s not an open chequebook, but one where we can improve the group. That’s all I ever wanted, to move forward.”