‘I should be…’: Chris Wilder discusses career ‘disappointments’ and his ‘difficult’ Sheffield United sacking

Former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has shed further light on his Blades departure and why he ‘should be’ in a job right now.

 

COH Sports, Sheffield United’s owners, purchased the club midway through the 2024/25 season, introducing a new perspective to how the team was handled.
Despite a fantastic season following relegation from the Premier League, in which the Blades earned a respectable 90 points, Sheffield United lost to Sunderland in the play-off final, marking the end of Chris Wilder’s tenure as head coach.

COH Sports opted to take a different approach and replace the popular Wilder with the recently fired Hull City manager Ruben Selles.

Selles has had a rough start to life at Sheffield United, and while Wilder believes he should remain in management, he has not nursed a grudge against the club for his dismissal.

Chris Wilder provides more clarity on feelings around Sheffield United sacking

On the first weekend of the Championship season, Chris Wilder discussed his Sheffield United dismissal, saying: “It stings, of course it does, and I wasn’t expecting it, but these things happen and you have to move on.”

Since then, the Blades’ manager has disclosed more about his genuine thoughts on the choice.

Chris Wilder stated on The Sports Agents podcast: “Yeah, I should be.” I should be at the training ground, on a bus, or standing on the side of a pitch right now.

“Yeah, of course it’s difficult at times, because you know really where you should be and what you should be doing.”

When asked if he holds a resentment toward COH Sports following their decision, he replied, “I understand. You know, new owners want to come in and have their own man on site. I respect that. So, no disagreements with the owners.

“I’ve experienced setbacks in my career as a coach and manager, so you need to recover. And I believe it is simply a reflection of how you handle situations.”

After two games in the 2025/26 Championship season, Sheffield United is at the bottom of the table after losing to Bristol City and Swansea City.

COH Sports decisions could set Ruben Selles up for failure

Following Chris Wilder’s resignation from Bramall Lane, COH Sports has already set high expectations for his successor, Ruben Selles, who will most likely have to better on what the former Blades manager accomplished last season.

A new ownership group can demonstrate ambition, which the fan base desires, but this must be backed by major investment in the transfer window for Selles to have the supplies to satisfy expectations.

Sheffield United have yet to replace Anel Ahmedhodzic, and as a result, their defence appears extremely porous, making Selles’ job tough.

Fans have already begun to turn against the Spaniard, but with such a terrible wave of recruitment, supporters cannot expect Selles to mount a meaningful promotion charge given the lack of expenditure thus far.