Statements From Both the Club And Chris Wilder as Sheffield United Announce Mutual Decision | OneFootball

Sheffield United have finally announced the departure of Chris Wilder after several days of speculation regarding his future at the club.

A change which has divided the fan base, Wilder leaves the club by mutual consent after guiding the Blades to a third-place 90 points finish. Despite breaking Championship play-off semi-final records, being the first team in Championship play-off history to win a semi-final tie by a six-goal margin, United came unstuck late on in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium and ultimately lost 2-1 to Sunderland.

Blades Release Statement After Chris Wilder Leaves Via Mutual Decision

Sheffield United released a club statement on social media on Tuesday evening to show their gratitude to Wilder.

“Sheffield United can confirm a mutually agreed decision has been reached for manager Chris Wilder to leave the football club.

Chris will leave alongside coaches Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge, and in doing so depart with the best wishes and gratitude of everyone connected with Sheffield United.

A Blade through and through, the legacy Chris and his staff have created here will never be forgotten, going right back to 2016 when he initially took the job with the club rooted in League One.

Between 2016 and 2021, he guided the club to two promotions and a ninth-place finish in the Premier League, creating an era which will go down as one of the most fondly remembered in the club’s history.

After returning to the club during a difficult period in 2023, he has provided stability and created a new team which earned a Steel City derby double amongst other notable highlights last season.

Showing his calibre as a manager, he guided the club to third place finish, collecting 92 points, before a heartbreaking conclusion in the play-off final.

Our owners, COH Sports, would wish to place on record our thanks to Chris and his staff for their efforts whilst at the helm and will be extending their own appreciation in due course.”

Chris Wilder Sends Heartfelt Message to Fans After the Announcement of His Departure

Wilder has also shared a message to the supporters as well as wishing the club and the ownership well for the future:

“It is with great regret that my time at Sheffield United has come to an end.

I’d like to thank Stephen Bettis and Prince Abdullah for bringing me back to the club and giving me the opportunity to rebuild the team and take this great club forward.

I’d also like to thank all the staff at the club, everyone behind the scenes that you don’t often see, and, of course, the players who put in a monumental effort last season, it has been a pleasure working with you, your desire and commitment was unquestionable and I have no doubt you will have great success in the future.

To the fans, I’m obviously disappointed to be leaving, particularly because we were so close to getting back to the Premier League. I’m a Sheffielder through and through, I love this club and this city and that feeling will never change. I depart with some cherished memories and feel proud to be talked about in the same manner that special Sheffield United managers are remembered – leading this team over 300 times will remain an incredible part of my life. This is a heartfelt thank you for all your support.

Lastly, I’d like to wish Steven Rosen, Helmy Eltouky and the board all the very best moving forward.

Up The Blades!”

Chris Wilder Leaves the Blades as a True Sheffield United Legend

SWANSEA, WALES – JANUARY 21: Chris Wilder, Manager of Sheffield United acknowledges the supporters following the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City AFC and Sheffield United FC at Swansea.com Stadium on January 21, 2025 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Unlike the last time Wilder and the Blades parted ways, where many thought he had unfinished business and would return again at some point, this one truly feels as though this is the end of the Sheffield United and Chris Wilder era. Having managed over 300 games for the Blades, racking up 140 wins and accumulating almost 500 points in two separate spells, the boyhood Blade leaves United as a genuine legendary figure and manager in United’s 136-year rich history.

For many of the supporters in the fan base, especially the younger generation, they saw the best version they’ve ever seen from their beloved football club, and that was largely down to Chris Wilder, and his right-hand man Alan Knill,  who we can’t also forget.

From leading the Blades to the League One title in his first season as the United boss, to the “In. Year. Out” in the Championship when the Blades came second in 2018/19, then going onto finish ninth in our first Premier League campaign under Wilder, it will be very hard for any manager to touch the impressive legacy that he’s built himself at Bramall Lane. And although his second spell at the club didn’t come to any success, we have him to thank for helping to rebuild the squad for the future in the summer of 2024.