Sheffield United urged to snub ex-Premier League manager and keep Chris Wilder | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit believes that a move for Gary O'Neil may not be what the Blades need

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Sheffield United have outlined Gary O'Neil as the ideal successor for Chris Wilder should he exit Bramall Lane this summer.

John Percy of the Telegraph reported that new Blades owners COH Sports were “expected” to part ways with the 57-year-old following their play-off final defeat against Sunderland.

According to Alan Nixon, O’Neil is top of Sheffield United’s list of replacements if Wilder does leave, with former Hull manager Ruben Selles also in the picture.

Football League World’s Sheffield United fan pundit, Jimmy (AKA Blades Ramble), doesn’t see the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth boss as a clear improvement on Wilder.

Sheffield United advised to avoid Gary O'Neil downgrade

“Is Gary O'Neil better than Wilder? Not in my opinion,” stated Jimmy. “I don't think anybody is a better choice than Chris Wilder to lead Sheffield United forward and that is me drawing my line in the sand straight away.

“I think Wilder should be given the opportunity to go again with us next season. We got 92 points, we beat Sheffield Wednesday twice, we had a points' deduction, we had an incredible tragedy with George Baldock passing and a huge turnover of players.

“Wilder guided us through that to be the third-best team in the league, by a stretch as well in the end. Obviously, we were beaten fairly by Sunderland, but I certainly think he's done more than enough to earn another opportunity.

“I think Gary O'Neil is a good manager. I think he speaks very well and has been impressive in his stints so far. I appreciate they've not always ended the best for him, but he's operated at a Premier League level.

“There's a chance it happens because he’s more of a head coach than a manager. It could happen but I think Chris Wilder should be the man to take us forward.”

Sheffield United will need to make manager decision in the near future

Once the news emerged that Sheffield United were planning to part ways with Wilder, it seemed that the decision would be announced in due course.

However, at this moment in time, Wilder remains in his position.

This situation has the potential to drag on into the summer and impact next season negatively, which isn’t what anybody involved with the Blades will want.

Whether dismissing their current boss for the second time is the correct decision or not, Sheffield United need to make a decision sooner rather than later.

This would also prevent the likes of O’Neil from being snapped up by clubs looking to fill vacant positions in their dugouts elsewhere, a scenario the Steel City side will hope to avoid if he is top of their list of replacements.