How Chris Wilder feels about staying at Sheffield United for 2026/27 | OneFootball

Chris Wilder took charge for a third stint as Sheffield United manager last September

Chris Wilder returned to Sheffield United in September after departing at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The 58-year-old joined the Blades as manager for a third time, replacing Ruben Selles after a disastrous start to the campaign.

The Championship side lost each of their five league games under the Spaniard before bringing back Wilder just a few months after his dismissal.

The experienced coach’s second stint ended in disappointment, with the team losing the play-off final to Sunderland at Wembley Stadium after coming third in the second division table.

His contract with the club ran until the summer of 2028, but that agreement was terminated following the 2-1 defeat.

Since his return in September, he has helped turn things around and the Yorkshire outfit are again hoping to secure a play-off place, with their sights set on a return to the Premier League.

Chris Wilder opens up on his Sheffield United future

Wilder has admitted that he has no intention of walking away from Sheffield United following their derby victory over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, and that he hopes to be with the club for a long time.

He has thanked his assistants Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge for their role in helping turn things around at Bramall Lane this season, while also praising the players for putting in the required performances to get the team climbing the table.

“I'd like to be involved for a lot longer,” said Wilder, via The Star.

“I want to be part of the future, of course.

“There's no desire for me to work anywhere else.

“I've got a job to do.

“I had a job to do coming back, and turning our fortunes around, with the help of Alan and Matt and the other coaches.

“And most importantly the players.”

Wilder has claimed that the win over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend was a perfect example of why he wants to continue with Sheffield United long-term, crediting the support from fans.

“The backing I've had from the supporters has been incredible yet again, and humbling as well,” he added.

“Moments like Sunday afternoon, they're just memorable moments

“At 12 o'clock, walking out for Sheffield derby — it's everything I've always wished for, personally.

“Where the club is at the moment, position-wise in the league, we want that to improve.

“But we're together as a football club.”

Sheffield United were bottom of the Championship table when Wilder took charge again in September, but have been able to climb into play-off contention.

While they are still outside the top six, their hopes of returning to the play-offs have greatly increased in recent weeks.

With a couple of months still remaining in the campaign, the 58-year-old could yet oversee another top six finish.

Sheffield United previously gained promotion under Wilder in the 2018/19 campaign, and went on to finish ninth in the Premier League in 2020.

His aim will be to bring top flight football back to Bramall Lane, with his current contract running until the end of the 2026/27 season.

Sheffield United have learned how important Chris Wilder is the hard way

It would’ve been easy for Sheffield United to take Wilder for granted after he engineered another top three finish in the Championship last season.

While the team missed out on the play-offs, the coach still did an excellent job of getting the team so close to a top flight return.

Given how things went under Selles, Sheffield United’s new owners have learned the hard way just how important he is to the running of the club these days.

But they at least rectified their mistake, and the Blades could yet still earn their place in the Premier League this year if they can keep up their current form for the final months of the term.