I don't think we can expect any real degree of improvement if we stick with Wilder. Given how things have gone with him in charge since he replaced Hecky, I think the performances we're seeing on the pitch currently, are what we will get next season as well, just with different people on the pitch for us to complain about.
I've seen comments from many people on here, referencing how Wilder has pulled us clear of relegation from the Championship, following the Selles disaster at the start of the season. And while that is true, that doesn't mean that Wilder coming back was the best choice. And I'd look toward a couple of other Championship sides as perfect demonstrations that getting a different man can also be successful.
First, Norwich. Last season, they initially had Johannes Hoff Thorup as manager, replacing David Wagner. He left in April, the season being completed under Jack Wilshere. They proceeded to hire Liam Manning for this season. I liked him at Brizzle for what it's worth - they played smart football, and in both league fixtures they gave us a real tough time. But it didn't work out for him, and he left in November. Rather than going back to Thorup or Wilshere, they hired Philippe Clement as their new boss (probably best known for his prior poor spell in charge of Rangers).
Since his appointment, Norwich have earned 45 points in 24 matches in the league, a rate of 1.875 points per game. If you extrapolate that out to the 39 matches played by most teams in the league at this stage, it is just over 73 points. That would be enough for 2nd position.
Secondly, Southampton. Newly relegated from the PL, they hired Will Still in the summer, who was dismissed again in November. Rather than rehiring Russell Martin or Ivan Juric, who both managed Saints last year, they moved Tonda Eckert up from their U21s to be (initially) interim manager. He then was made permanent after 4 wins from 5 while in interim charge.
Eckert has now led them to 51 points from 26 matches, at a rate of approx. 1.96 ppg. Again, using that value across 39 games played so far, Saints would be looking at approx. 76 points earned, and challenging Coventry for the Championship title.
Meanwhile, as we all know, Selles managed 6 games for us, was sacked Sep 14th after the thrashing at Ipswich, and Wilder came back. Since his return, Wilder has earned 50 points from 34 games, at a rate of approx. 1.47 ppg. As I've done for the above managers, across 39 matches this equates to just over 57 points, a tally which would be good enough for 9th place in the current Championship table.
Now I will concede, not every club is the same. Some teams will thrive from a previous manager returning, while others will stagnate, and the same can be said for a new face taking charge. But I feel it is worth noting that both Norwich and Southampton seem to have especially thrived in an offensive sense since their current managers took charge. Both teams have struck 5 goals in a game at least once each, both have won multiple matches by margins of 2+ goals. And the comeback win by Southampton from 3 goals down away at Leicester, shows a level of mental strength that I do not believe anyone in our squad actually possesses. Not since pre-Covid have I seen a Sheffield United side led by Chris Wilder, which l believed capable of any of these feats. At present, we are far more likely to be on the receiving end of these stats. And we have been (Wrexham away for example - conceded 5, lost by multiple goals, and lost from a significant advantage all in the same game).
I do not think Wilder is a "bad" manager. In the past, he has been an exceptional manager. But the Wilder we see now, is not the same man that led Oxford back to the Football League. He is not the same man that led Northampton to the League 2 title, despite the clubs desperate financial troubles. He is not the same man that dragged Sheffield United out of League 1 hibernation, and into the Premier League limelight. He is not the same man that won the LMA Manager of the Year award, ahead of the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. And I do not anticipate that changing anytime soon.
If we do not want to stagnate, that reality needs to be accepted, sooner rather than later.
