Sheffield United contract reveal hints COH Sports have learned big Chris Wilder lesson | OneFootball

After sacking Chris Wilder last summer, recent contract news at Sheffield United suggests COH Sports will not make the same mistake again.

As the business end of the season approaches, Sheffield United will be hoping to force their way into the Championship play-off places.

Sheffield United endured a nightmare start to the season as they lost each of their first six games in all competitions under Ruben Selles, which resulted in the Spaniard's sacking in September and the return of Chris Wilder for a third spell in charge, just 89 days after his controversial summer exit.

Wilder has inspired an impressive turnaround to move the Blades clear of the relegation zone, and talk of a potential play-off push has gathered pace at Bramall Lane in recent weeks, particularly after the January arrivals of Ki-Jana Hoever, Leo Hjelde, Kalvin Phillips and Joe Rothwell.

However, it remains to be seen whether reaching the top six will be a step too far for United, and the 2-1 home defeat to league leaders Middlesbrough on Monday night left Wilder's men sitting 16th in the table, eight points from the play-offs.

Given that Wilder was axed last summer despite leading the Blades to the play-off final, some have wondered whether missing out on promotion this season could put his position under threat once again, but a recent contract revelation may have offered a hint over his future.

Chris Wilder provides Sheffield United contract update involving Femi Seriki and Andre Brooks

Having favoured experienced players for much of his managerial career, Wilder has shown an increased willingness to give youth a chance in recent years, and academy products Femi Seriki and Andre Brooks have played a key role in Sheffield United's revival this season.

It seems the pair's performances have not gone unnoticed, with Seriki reportedly emerging on Everton's radar in the January transfer window, while Brooks was said to be a target for Belgian top flight side Club Brugge.

The Blades managed to keep hold of both Seriki and Brooks, but they are now entering the final 18 months of their current deals at Bramall Lane, and Wilder has revealed that the club are looking to strike fresh contract agreements with the duo.

"I've not spoken to Steve [Bettis] about it since [last month], but it'll be an ongoing situation," Wilder told The Star.

"We had to prepare for that week, with Ipswich, Millwall and then Tuesday night against Oxford, with the focus on the transfer window as well.

"But now moving on, of course. Moving on to the other aspects of securing players and tying players down for longer is key. Key to protect the asset that the player has improved, but we have to as well."

Of course, securing the future of key assets is important for United regardless of who is in charge, but with Wilder seemingly playing an instrumental role in contract decisions, it suggests he is firmly seen as part of the club's long-term plans.

COH Sports must not repeat major Chris Wilder, Sheffield United mistake this summer

As Wilder returned to Sheffield United just five games into the season, it is likely that the club's board felt that he still had more than enough time to mount a promotion push.

The ambitious signings of Hoever, Hjelde, Phillips and Rothwell in January are a clear indication that the Blades' hierarchy believe that promotion could be on the cards this season, and should Wilder fail to deliver a Premier League return, or at least achieve a top six finish, he may have some questions to answer.

Wilder was sacked last summer despite his side accumulating 90 points during the regular season, which is the joint-highest total not to result in automatic promotion in Championship history, while United were just 15 minutes away from beating Sunderland in the play-off final before an agonising late collapse at Wembley.

If Wilder lost his job in those circumstances, then COH Sports may not hesitate to part company with him again this summer, particularly if United were to finish anywhere near their current position of 16th, but the fact that he is involved in long-term planning suggests that he will retain the faith of the board, regardless of the outcome of this season.

Having taken over with the club sitting bottom of the table with zero points in September, Wilder should not be judged if the Blades miss out on promotion, and that his side are even involved in the play-off conversation at all after their horror start is a huge credit to the 58-year-old.

With James Bord, who is thought to have been influential in the appointment of Selles, no longer acting as an advisor to COH Sports, Wilder's position has undoubtedly been strengthened, and having demonstrated his pulling power in January, he should be given full control over transfers in the summer.

It could be an exciting few months ahead for United as they look to gatecrash the top six, but even if they are unable to fulfil that objective, there will not be a single supporter calling for Wilder's dismissal.