Credit: Imago

Alex Charlton

Tue 17 June 2025 12:45, UK

Sheffield United are set to sack Chris Wilder following their Championship play-off final defeat to Sunderland.

Wilder led the Blades to a third-place finish last season, falling 10 points short of Leeds United and Burnley.

The 57-year-old has been in charge of the South Yorkshire outfit for 18 months, having taken over from Paul Heckingbottom for a second stint at Bramall Lane.

Rumours of his dismissal have been circling for some time, and Sunderland appear to have sealed Wilder’s fate.

The Blades to part ways with Chris Wilder after Sunderland loss

Sheffield United suffered in the cruellest of ways at Wembley Stadium, having blown a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to Sunderland, not that anyone on Wearside will care.

Wilder’s side suffered Premier League relegation at the end of the 2024/24 season, meaning they were among the favourites to go back up.

The Blades started the season on the back foot with a two-point deduction due to missed payments in the 2022/23 season.

However, it seemed that for a while, they were heading for promotion, having occupied the top two for a considerable amount of time.

When the end-of-season run-in arrived, the Bramall Lane side faltered, meaning they had to settle for a play-off place.

After losing to Sunderland, speculation around the Englishman’s future was rife, with reports of an impending sacking.

Now, those reports are coming to fruition, as The Telegraph’s John Percy revealed (17 June) that a decision has been made by the Blades’ board.

Sheffield United are expected to make an official announcement within the next 24 hours.

Wilder sacking a risk for Sheffield United

If there is one man who knows Sheffield United, it is Wilder.

Before his current spell, the 57-year-old managed the Bramall Lane outfit for just under five years between 2016-2021.

If he is sacked, then he will leave South Yorkshire having managed 305 matches across just under six and a half years.

Sacking him presents a gamble, as he appears to be well-liked within the dressing room and by the supporters.

Of course, it is unknown if a suitable replacement is lined up, and it could be somebody of high standing.

However, Wilder understands Sheffield United and would have been well-placed to guide them back to the Premier League.

There have been murmurings of disagreements between the manager and the board, which may have ultimately sealed Wilder’s sacking.

Sunderland fans will be thankful for Regis Le Bris that instead of a risky summer, they are preparing for life in the Premier League once again.