Sheffield United have sacked manager, Chris Wilder after the club failed to win promotion via Championship Play-Offs.
Wilder guided the Blades to a third-placed finish in the regular season of the Championship but ultimately missed out on promotion, having lost the play-off final to Sunderland by a 2-1 result despite Tyrese Campbell’s initial opener.
Club bosses have since held a thorough end-of-season review where it was decided to sack Wilder and go in a different direction under a new manager for next season.
In a short statement, the club confirmed that Wilder plus his coaches, Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge ‘depart with the best wishes and gratitude of everyone connected with Sheffield United.’
United also added that their owner, COH Sports thanked Wilder and his staff for their services and will extend their own appreciation at a later date.
‘Our owners, COH Sports, would wish to place on record our thanks to Chris and his staff for their efforts whilst at the helm and will be extending their own appreciation in due course.’
Wilder issued a statement in which he described his departure as a “great regret” and addressed the fans as he admitted that he wanted a chance to take the Blades back to the Premier League.
“To the fans, I’m obviously disappointed to be leaving, particularly because we were so close to getting back to the Premier League.
“I’m a Sheffielder through and through, I love this club and this city and that feeling will never change.
“I depart with some cherished memories and feel proud to be talked about in the same manner that special Sheffield United managers are remembered – leading this team over 300 times will remain an incredible part of my life. This is a heartfelt thank you for all your support.”
This stint marked Wilder’s second spell at the club – having returned in December 2023 for what to be a 18-month period – in which he failed to keep the Blades in the Premier League at the end of 2023-24 season, before he led them to a futile promotion challenge in the Championship.
Wilder previously spent five years in charge between 2016 – 2021 during which he led the Blades to promotion from League One to Championship in the 2016-17 season, followed by promotion back to the top-flight two seasons later where they spent two seasons before relegation.
Wilder’s letter can be found in full below.
“It is with great regret that my time at Sheffield United has come to an end.
“I’d like to thank Stephen Bettis and Prince Abdullah for bringing me back to the club and giving me the opportunity to rebuild the team and take this great club forward.
“I’d also like to thank all the staff at the club, everyone behind the scenes that you don’t often see, and, of course, the players who put in a monumental effort last season, it has been a pleasure working with you, your desire and commitment was unquestionable and I have no doubt you will have great success in the future.
“To the fans, I’m obviously disappointed to be leaving, particularly because we were so close to getting back to the Premier League.
“I’m a Sheffielder through and through, I love this club and this city and that feeling will never change.
“I depart with some cherished memories and feel proud to be talked about in the same manner that special Sheffield United managers are remembered – leading this team over 300 times will remain an incredible part of my life. This is a heartfelt thank you for all your support.
“Lastly, I’d like to wish Steven Rosen, Helmy Eltouky and the board all the very best moving forward.
“Up The Blades.”
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