After a disastrous start to the Championship season, Sheffield United are reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing back former manager Chris Wilder.
The club’s current struggles have left fans frustrated and anxious, prompting whispers of a dramatic managerial U-turn at Bramall Lane.
Nightmare Start Under Ruben Selles
Ruben Selles replaced Wilder last summer but has overseen a catastrophic beginning to the campaign.
United have lost all six of their opening league games and have failed to score in their last four matches, including a humiliating 5-0 defeat at Ipswich on Friday.
The team sits bottom of the table, and supporters are increasingly vocal about their disappointment.
According to reports from the Star, the club is genuinely considering approaching Wilder to steady the ship.
Wilder’s Deep Roots at Bramall Lane
Chris Wilder, 57, is a lifelong Blades supporter and has a long history with Sheffield United.
He played for the club during two separate spells and has already managed them twice.
His reputation was cemented when he guided United from the third tier to a remarkable ninth-place finish in the Premier League during the 2019-20 season.
Despite this, he was dismissed the following season as the club struggled towards relegation.
Boardroom Turmoil and Management Changes
Part of the instability at Bramall Lane has stemmed from changes in ownership and leadership.
Long-time chairman Kevin McCabe lost a power struggle with co-owner Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad al Saud, who eventually sold the club to an American consortium led by Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltouky last December.
Wilder was reappointed by Prince Abdullah but was sacked again last summer by the new American owners due to disagreements over recruitment strategy.
The board was determined to implement an AI-led approach, which clashed with Wilder’s methods.
An Amicable Parting and Potential Return
Despite past disagreements, the split between Wilder and the club’s new owners was reportedly amicable.
No bridges were burned, but any potential return would likely require guarantees that Wilder would have the autonomy to manage Sheffield United his way.
With the team struggling badly, the legendary former manager could be tempted back to Bramall Lane to restore stability and hope for the fans.