"I can see the argument" - Simon Jordan backs Sheffield United owners over big Chris Wilder sack call | OneFootball

Simon Jordan has given his reaction to the news that Sheffield United are set to part company with manager Chris Wilder.

Former Crystal Palace owner and talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan insists he can understand why Sheffield United have decided to sack manager Chris Wilder after missing out on promotion to the Premier League.

Sheffield United looked to be in pole position to achieve automatic promotion in early April, but a run of three consecutive defeats against Oxford United, Millwall and Plymouth Argyle dealt a huge blow to their top two hopes, and they eventually finished the season in third place.

It looked as though the Blades were back on track after a record-breaking 6-0 aggregate play-off semi-final victory over Bristol City, but they suffered further agony as they were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland in the play-off final at Wembley, despite seemingly being in full control of the game with just 15 minutes remaining.

Reports emerged last week that Wilder's position at Bramall Lane was under serious threat, and journalist John Percy revealed on Tuesday morning that United are set to part company with the 57-year-old, with an official announcement expected within the next 24 hours.

As owners Steve Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy continue to implement a new data-driven recruitment model that includes the use of AI, disagreements over transfers are said to have been a factor behind Wilder's imminent departure, but he is believed to be leaving the club on amicable terms.

Wilder's exit may not have been confirmed yet, but it seems the Blades are already closing in on the appointment of his replacement, with journalist Pete O'Rourke revealing that ex-Hull City manager Ruben Selles is in "advanced talks" to take over at the club after Gary O'Neil was ruled out of contention.

Simon Jordan reacts as Sheffield United prepare to sack Chris Wilder

While Jordan admitted that Sheffield United's decision to sack Wilder could be seen as harsh, he claimed that he can understand why they have decided to make a change after the failure to win promotion, and he insisted that supporters will quickly get over their disappointment if the club make a strong appointment.

"I can see the argument for both sides of the equation," Jordan said on talkSPORT.

"I'm not privy to the conversations between the owners and the manager.

"If the brief was unequivocally, 'we don't care how you do it, we'll give you support, but you have to get us promoted', and at the end of the season, if you don't, then there's going to be a consequence to it.

"92 points is a remarkable points total and would get you promoted in most seasons.

"If your brief was to get us up one way or the other and you don't, you might see it as harsh, but that might have been the frank conversation that was had at the beginning of the season and was the task in hand.

"Sheffield United fans will be fed up until they see the next manager come through the door, if indeed they are fed up at all.

"It will be about what they do next.

"If they bring in some wonderful, stellar name that they think is going to give them success, they'll forget about Chris Wilder, and they'll move on to the season upcoming and the opportunities that presents to them."

Sheffield United are taking a big gamble with bold Chris Wilder, Ruben Selles call

Jordan is right that Wilder did not achieve his target of promotion, but he delivered a 90-point season for Sheffield United last term, which would have been 92 if not for a two-point deduction, and they were certainly unlucky to miss out on the top two.

Wilder remains an incredibly popular figure at Bramall Lane, so it is a hugely controversial call to part company with him, particularly as disagreements over the new data-led recruitment model are believed to be the driving force behind the decision, and there is no guarantee that such a strategy will be successful.

Selles is expected to be named as Wilder's replacement, but while the Spaniard is undoubtedly a talented coach, he only kept Hull City in the Championship on goal difference last season before being sacked after just over five months in charge, so there are big question marks over whether he is the right man to lead United to promotion.