Outgoing? Chris Wilder

[Uganda Blade]

If he goes I’m surprised, but what concerns me more is who the American owners replace him with

As complete rookies of owning and running a football club, who they replace him with is absolutely crucial

It wasn’t that long ago American owners sacked Birminghams manager after taking them into the play offs, signed you know who and ended up relegated

Do we know if Des Taylor is still involved?
That might address their "rookieness"?

 

[CirenBlade]

Do we know if Des Taylor is still involved?
That might address their "rookieness"?

Bettis has experience. I also remember he bought in Jason Tindall to help Hecky as he knew him personally.

 

[Pintor75]

Mousinho - Yes

O'Neil No. If we're trying to change the club culture then we don't need another mardy arse in post match interview's

Dyche - No thanks. I've seen enough boring turd football to last me a lifetime over the last five seasons

Gerrard - No thanks. To some degrees unproven as he had an easy start at Rangers before he managed Billionaire United. He won't hack the Championship.

Southgate - See Dyche and an extra no ****ing way. You'd be swapping Wilderball for even more boring, conservative, safety first football that'll bore the crowd to sleep.

Cooper - Every day of the week.

Just listing a few names available, bar Mousinho under contract at pompey

 

[Pintor75]

O'Neil, Gerrard, and Southgate you are taking the piss aren't you?

Just quoting some names ,Your suggestions?

 

[CaptainMorgans]

And, whether it's now or in the not too distant future, his clock is ticking down.

He walked out on the players and fans at Wembley.

Quite apart from his behaviour issues, failure to nail top two, failure to buy strikers who could actually, believe it or not, actually 'do a job', sort a defence out and show tactical awareness to win the bigger games.

All the evidence I needed to not waste my money and time going to the big city for the final. The first huge Blades game I've ever missed. Common sense, on this occasion, outweighed my loyalty.
The 35k who did go deserved his leadership at the end. He failed them.

Quitting and leaving your team alone to face a difficult time is unforgiveable. That's final for me.

The bigger issue isn't CW though. It's the people who won't see the very obvious flaws in Wilder 2.0. Flaws that he is incapable of changing up and why he can't take us forward. We ALL have limitations but he's desperate to stay, despite his.

He talks about culture whilst not backing it up personally. It's just words.

I love what he's done but his petulance has done him for me.

You keep banging on about Wilder walking down the tunnel and trying to make it into some big drama. He was hurting and acted on emotions in that moment.
It's not the big deal you're making it.

He got 92 points last season with a squad he'd mostly assembled over two windows.
I was disappointed that he didn't push us on for a 2nd goal, but at the same time we had one disallowed and the keeper pulled off a couple of worldies.
Until the point they equalised, we were cruising it.

He's clearly a very good manager at this level, he knows the players, he's learned the lessons and I'd trust him to build a competitive squad again.

I don't think he's going to be here come August, but I hope he is (provided the Board and him are on the same page... if they're not, better to part ways now).

 

[ATL Recs]

You keep banging on about Wilder walking down the tunnel and trying to make it into some big drama. He was hurting and acted on emotions in that moment.
It's not the big deal you're making it.

He got 92 points last season with a squad he'd mostly assembled over two windows.
I was disappointed that he didn't push us on for a 2nd goal, but at the same time we had one disallowed and the keeper pulled off a couple of worldies.
Until the point they equalised, we were cruising it.

He's clearly a very good manager at this level, he knows the players, he's learned the lessons and I'd trust him to build a competitive squad again.

I don't think he's going to be here come August, but I hope he is (provided the Board and him are on the same page... if they're not, better to part ways now).

The blokes no leader

 

[Rodley]

Just asked AI who the best centre halves are in the Championship, the results are encouraging for this new transfer system:-




Jack Robinson (Sheffield United)

Jack Robinson’s 2024/25 season has been a testament to his unwavering commitment and defensive prowess. After stepping in following Harry Souttar’s season-ending injury, Robinson became an indispensable figure in Sheffield United’s backline. His leadership qualities were evident as he captained the side, guiding them through crucial fixtures and into the playoff final.

Statistically, Robinson’s contributions were significant:

• Appearances: 24 (22 starts)
• Minutes Played: 2,024
• Pass Accuracy: 88.4%
• Tackle Success: 69%
• Duel Success: 67.2%
• Aerial Duel Success: 63.1%
• Recoveries: 85

Beyond the numbers, Robinson’s influence was felt in his ability to organize the defense, make crucial interceptions, and provide stability under pressure. His experience and determination were pivotal in Sheffield United’s journey to the playoff final.

Other Notable Centre-Backs of the Season:

• Pascal Struijk (Leeds United): Known for his composure and ball-handling skills, Struijk was a cornerstone in Leeds’ defense, contributing both defensively and offensively.
• Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United): Ahmedhodzic showcased aerial dominance and consistency, proving to be a reliable figure in the Blades’ backline.
• Joe Rodon (Leeds United): After making his move to Leeds permanent, Rodon continued to impress with his defensive solidity and tactical awareness.
• Kyle Bartley (West Bromwich Albion): At 33, Bartley remained a formidable presence, ranking in the top 5% for aerial and ground duel success in the division.
• Eiran Cashin (Derby County): At just 22, Cashin captained Derby, leading one of the strongest defenses in the league.
• Bobby Thomas (Coventry City): Thomas earned multiple inclusions in the EFL Championship Team of the Week, highlighting his consistent performances.
• Oliver Casey (Blackpool): Casey emerged as a key player, earning Player of the Month awards for both December and January, and forming pivotal defensive partnerships.

These centre-backs have been instrumental in their teams’ performances this season, showcasing defensive prowess, leadership, and consistency.

 

[mancunianblade]

Some may say it’s just semantics but sounds to me like we won’t have a manager at all next season, sounds like a shift to a head coach?

 

[cooperblade]

The 35k who did go deserved his leadership at the end. He failed them.

Agreed. All those grown men throwing their scarves into the tier below like toddlers playing in an 'who can look the most upset' competition deserved more.

And if 35,000 fans stayed until the bitter end then so should the manager.

In all seriousness, if he walked straight down the tunnel (I didn't notice), he probably regrets it. It's totally out of character for him but I can't imagine he's ever felt hurt like that in football before and I don't have an issue with it.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

If the owners want established prem football could they not dangle a carrot in front of an established prem manager to get us up and keep us there or is that to out there?

 

[Nick Jansky]

If the owners want established prem football could they not dangle a carrot in front of an established prem manager to get us up and keep us there or is that to out there?

They basically need to set out a project/vision and sell it and get buy in from whomever they consider most capable of delivering it. Which I think might be a team of people, not just a manager or head coach.

With this lot, I wouldn’t expect it to be back of a fag packet, short termist stuff. It won’t be all about next season, I have the feeling we’ll be moving beyond that.

Just my thoughts/hopes. But I think the next few years could be very interesting.

 

[The Fox]

They basically need to set out a project/vision and sell it and get buy in from whomever they consider most capable of delivering it. Which I think might be a team of people, not just a manager or head coach.

With this lot, I wouldn’t expect it to be back of a fag packet, short termist stuff. It won’t be all about next season, I have the feeling we’ll be moving beyond that.

Just my thoughts/hopes. But I think the next few years could be very interesting.

Pretty much agree with your thoughts .
More of a restructure of the club across the board , no owner wants everything to hinge on one person .
As you say very interesting times ahead .

 

[MartBlade]

And, whether it's now or in the not too distant future, his clock is ticking down.

He walked out on the players and fans at Wembley.

Quite apart from his behaviour issues, failure to nail top two, failure to buy strikers who could actually, believe it or not, actually 'do a job', sort a defence out and show tactical awareness to win the bigger games.

All the evidence I needed to not waste my money and time going to the big city for the final. The first huge Blades game I've ever missed. Common sense, on this occasion, outweighed my loyalty.
The 35k who did go deserved his leadership at the end. He failed them.

Quitting and leaving your team alone to face a difficult time is unforgiveable. That's final for me.

The bigger issue isn't CW though. It's the people who won't see the very obvious flaws in Wilder 2.0. Flaws that he is incapable of changing up and why he can't take us forward. We ALL have limitations but he's desperate to stay, despite his.

He talks about culture whilst not backing it up personally. It's just words.

I love what he's done but his petulance has done him for me.

I went to Wembley yet again and I was more disappointed than I’ve ever been because I thought we’d done enough to win the game before a combination of badly timed injuries and mistakes cost us.
Most of the fans that you claim deserved Chris Wilders respect and applause were disappearing for the exits as fast as humanly possible on the final whistle. Most of them had also spent the second half quiet and nervous rather than getting right behind the team and trying to lift them.
It was not the time for us to stay around for a mutual hug … Wilder along with every other Blade in the stadium was simply too devastated to think straight.
To read that he somehow disrespected us in that moment is utterly laughable. For that criticism to come from somebody who contributed to the empty seats is even more so.
Our minibus had 12 fans in it … not one of us even thought about whether the manager had applauded us. The drive home was mostly silent and sad.
Every one of us will be back next season hoping to see Wilder continue the rebuild of our club - knowing that he understands our pain that day better than any other manager could.
If you’re going to criticise - maybe go and support them first eh?
“Quitting and leaving your team alone to face a difficult time is unforgivable”
I guess you would know.

 

[biggiesablade]

Excited

New era boys

 

[Bookers Mullet]

Excited

New era boys

New trainers?

 

[Nick Jansky]

Excited

New era boys

Are they the Chinese rent boys who hang out around the giant silver panda?

 

[54yrblade]

I went to Wembley yet again and I was more disappointed than I’ve ever been because I thought we’d done enough to win the game before a combination of badly timed injuries and mistakes cost us.
Most of the fans that you claim deserved Chris Wilders respect and applause were disappearing for the exits as fast as humanly possible on the final whistle. Most of them had also spent the second half quiet and nervous rather than getting right behind the team and trying to lift them.
It was not the time for us to stay around for a mutual hug … Wilder along with every other Blade in the stadium was simply too devastated to think straight.
To read that he somehow disrespected us in that moment is utterly laughable. For that criticism to come from somebody who contributed to the empty seats is even more so.
Our minibus had 12 fans in it … not one of us even thought about whether the manager had applauded us. The drive home was mostly silent and sad.
Every one of us will be back next season hoping to see Wilder continue the rebuild of our club - knowing that he understands our pain that day better than any other manager could.
If you’re going to criticise - maybe go and support them first eh?
“Quitting and leaving your team alone to face a difficult time is unforgivable”
I guess you would know.

Ah bless. Keep giving him a free pass. You, and he, are very welcome to it.

 

[Roygbiv]

There are obvious reasons why people think he's the best man to lead us next season. The club was on its arse in May and he restored a winning mentality achieving a points tally that would have been good enough to see us go up most seasons. We know he's at worst a safe pair of hands and if he stays we will likely be competitive again next season.

There are also question marks over what happened post Christmas. We went from being the best side in the league to the 5th best side in the league in terms of points despite heavy backing in January. If you take any notice of XG, we finished the season as the 8th best team in terms of attacking and the 9th best in terms of defence. All the underlying numbers suggest we need to improve quite a lot next season to challenge for automatic promotion as those low margin wins will likely go the other way. We saw it happen in April. If the new owners are as obsessed with data then they will likely pay more attention of these things than Price Abdullah did.

 

[Maidenhead]

Boring Burnley got promoted and didn’t bottle it.

They also had a big rebuild. They beat us twice. They scored more goals than us and conceded fewer.

Apart from that, they were crap

 

[MartBlade]

Ah bless. Keep giving him a free pass. You, and he, are very welcome to it.

Glad I have your blessing

 

[Bladeinleeds]

I would keep wilder for sure - think people are writing off 92 points far too quickly

I Can’t bear the Russell Martin (specifically) type approach of stale dominance with no cutting edge or intent to kill teams off.

However, Wilder needs to work out a way of us creating more, we were imo poor creatively last season and relied on the moments of magic from Hamer etc without being able to regularly create clear cut chances or open up poor sides.

I also think we need not to be relying on Robinson starting every game again. We are going to lose our ‘stars’ we need to be able to replace them effectively.

If it’s a tyrese Campbell then great, if it’s Tom cannon we are fucked. Wilders big money signings have rarely worked out for him - he’s traded well on the Lidl middle isle however.

 

[paidsy]

There are obvious reasons why people think he's the best man to lead us next season. The club was on its arse in May and he restored a winning mentality achieving a points tally that would have been good enough to see us go up most seasons. We know he's at worst a safe pair of hands and if he stays we will likely be competitive again next season.

There are also question marks over what happened post Christmas. We went from being the best side in the league to the 5th best side in the league in terms of points despite heavy backing in January. If you take any notice of XG, we finished the season as the 8th best team in terms of attacking and the 9th best in terms of defence. All the underlying numbers suggest we need to improve quite a lot next season to challenge for automatic promotion as those low margin wins will likely go the other way. We saw it happen in April. If the new owners are as obsessed with data then they will likely pay more attention of these things than Price Abdullah did.

Didn't realise the 2nd half numbers were that bad, really puts things into perspective...

 

[The Fox]

I wonder if we worry to much about him being a manager? The structure will be players bought by the club using a modern approach like other clubs are doing.

Then we have a head coach whose job it is to get the best out of the players assigned to them, as in most walks of life. The manager approach has gone.

The question really is can Chris be a successful head coach under these conditions. Only him and club can decide that.

I think if there's something in what you've suggested.
I heard PA on talksport saying that when CW walked out it was as a result of PA suggesting he needed help on the recruitment part of the job and he wanted to put someone in to help.
If that's the case and it may be that the owners have outlined a new management structure to CW which he may not accept.
In effect we have no manager, just a head coach working with a team under a sporting director .
All speculation but given how many clubs operate it wouldn't be a huge surprise .

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Didn't realise the 2nd half numbers were that bad, really puts things into perspective...

I think if I was the owners I’d get rid, I’ve defended Wilder on here all season but his inability to win big games, tactical naivety & his antics that have cost the club thousands in fines aren’t what a club who possibly wants to build into a premiership established team need.

If he does go I don’t think you’ll see Dyche or any of the others mentioned, I think it’ll be a data decision possibly similar to the Danny Rohl appointment at Wednesday (I’m not saying it would be him, we all know it won’t)

 

[TJ blade]

If the meeting with ownership is legit and his job is up for discussion I’d imagine whether he keeps it or not will come down to whether he’s capable of being humble and genuinely self scouting what went wrong the 2nd half of this year.

He needs a good and convincing answer to the question of why after significant backing in January the standard of football dropped and we played an increasingly negative style of play which ultimately cost us against sides that we on paper should’ve beaten.

He’ll also need to show he’s willing and able to slot into whatever medium term plans the owners have for the club and their modernisation efforts. If your boss said things were going to be run differently at work and either refused to do it or showed you couldn’t you wouldn’t be in a job much longer.

If his attitude is that we were unlucky, the ball didn’t bounce our way and if we run it back another year then we’ll get over the line then I can see why ownership would be frustrated. However, if he admits where things very clearly went wrong and comes with a plan for what he’s going to differently to try and change that then he might keep his job.

Can't see him doing that, according to him it's always somebody else's fault.

 

[PrestwichBlade]

I went to Wembley yet again and I was more disappointed than I’ve ever been because I thought we’d done enough to win the game before a combination of badly timed injuries and mistakes cost us.
Most of the fans that you claim deserved Chris Wilders respect and applause were disappearing for the exits as fast as humanly possible on the final whistle. Most of them had also spent the second half quiet and nervous rather than getting right behind the team and trying to lift them.
It was not the time for us to stay around for a mutual hug … Wilder along with every other Blade in the stadium was simply too devastated to think straight.
To read that he somehow disrespected us in that moment is utterly laughable. For that criticism to come from somebody who contributed to the empty seats is even more so.
Our minibus had 12 fans in it … not one of us even thought about whether the manager had applauded us. The drive home was mostly silent and sad.
Every one of us will be back next season hoping to see Wilder continue the rebuild of our club - knowing that he understands our pain that day better than any other manager could.
If you’re going to criticise - maybe go and support them first eh?
“Quitting and leaving your team alone to face a difficult time is unforgivable”
I guess you would know.

I couldn't care less from a fan's perspective if he disappeared, but he's a leader of a squad of players and he left them to it. Yes, I'm sure he was devastated, like the fan that he is and therein lies the problem. If we'd have won, do you reckon he'd have taken himself away and allowed the players to take all the glory?

 

[LondonBlade89]

Getting rid of Wilder is definitely a risk. I think he’d have a better chance than most managers of getting us promoted next season. I think most people on here would recognise that.

But then what happens after that? I’m a big fan of Wilder and always will be. Those years he gave us between 2016-20 were the best of my Blade-supporting life. They will go down in history. I also think the way some fans behave over him - and the language they use - is at best an example of how fickle football fans can be and at worst utterly disrespectful and shameful for a man who has brought so much joy to everyone associated with this club.

However, the Wilder of now just doesn’t feel like the man to take us forward. He’s almost too invested in the club. This season he’s just felt on edge. You suspect he hears everything, and he backs himself into a corner over who we play and how we play. As great as he’s been there are justifiable questions over his transfers - particularly when spending big money - as well as how we play in this post-overlapping centre back era, which increasingly feels like we managed to capture lightning in a bottle rather than an innovation we will be able to pull a 2025 version of anytime soon.

Yes, I know we were so close to being promoted this season. Yes, I know in many years that points total would’ve got us up. But I just don’t think we’d have been going up in a great, long-term position.

For the good of the club moving forward, if we want to build a side capable of staying in the Premier League for many season - which we are seeing promoted clubs do despite this supposed ever-growing gap - I’m just not sure this current version of Wilder is the man to do it.

I’ll back him if he stays, and just hope he can change (Yogi your post is nail on the head re: self-reflection) but I also recognise maybe now is the time.

 

[nopigfansintown]

And, whether it's now or in the not too distant future, his clock is ticking down.

He walked out on the players and fans at Wembley.

Quite apart from his behaviour issues, failure to nail top two, failure to buy strikers who could actually, believe it or not, actually 'do a job', sort a defence out and show tactical awareness to win the bigger games.

All the evidence I needed to not waste my money and time going to the big city for the final. The first huge Blades game I've ever missed. Common sense, on this occasion, outweighed my loyalty.
The 35k who did go deserved his leadership at the end. He failed them.

Quitting and leaving your team alone to face a difficult time is unforgiveable. That's final for me.

The bigger issue isn't CW though. It's the people who won't see the very obvious flaws in Wilder 2.0. Flaws that he is incapable of changing up and why he can't take us forward. We ALL have limitations but he's desperate to stay, despite his.

He talks about culture whilst not backing it up personally. It's just words.

I love what he's done but his petulance has done him for me.

That's a massive shame for you. You missed the best Blades Wembley performance this side of WW2 and our best ever play off campaign

He's totally rebuilt the culture in a pre season from one of not trying, tool downers, to one of players running through brick walls for the clubs. Amazing achievement I'm sure you'll agree.

Not a fan of Sharp, Mcgoldrick, Clarke, Campbell. You surprise me.

Where was you're leadership? By your own account you bottled the whole day. Ironic you talk of petulance when you personified it.

 

[nopigfansintown]

You keep banging on about Wilder walking down the tunnel and trying to make it into some big drama. He was hurting and acted on emotions in that moment.
It's not the big deal you're making it.

He got 92 points last season with a squad he'd mostly assembled over two windows.
I was disappointed that he didn't push us on for a 2nd goal, but at the same time we had one disallowed and the keeper pulled off a couple of worldies.
Until the point they equalised, we were cruising it.

He's clearly a very good manager at this level, he knows the players, he's learned the lessons and I'd trust him to build a competitive squad again.

I don't think he's going to be here come August, but I hope he is (provided the Board and him are on the same page... if they're not, better to part ways now).

People like this will find literally any reason to hate on Wilder. It's pathological with them. Ask for some logic and they are always found wanting. It's always singing ont tables, dunt teck responsibility, sandwiches, likes a beer, walked darnt tunnel, back door. Different year, same crap.

 

[Roygbiv]

Didn't realise the 2nd half numbers were that bad, really puts things into perspective...

Our best run in terms of chances created actually came right at the end of the season post Burnley which makes it all the more frustrating that we reverted to type in the 2nd half of the final.