“Very Clear Early On” – Sheffield United CEO Stephen Bettis Breaks Silence After United’s Terrible Start to the Season | OneFootball

Sheffield United CEO Stephen Bettis joined BBC Radio Sheffield on Wednesday evening for a live phone-in, addressing growing concerns around the club’s direction amid a nightmare start to the Championship season.

Just months after finishing third with 90 points and narrowly missing out on promotion following a bitter play-off final defeat to Sunderland, the Blades now find themselves bottom of the Championship with just three points from their opening fixtures. It’s been a stunning collapse for a side that looked Premier League-bound last spring.

The appointment of Ruben Selles as head coach proved disastrous, United lost all five of their league fixtures under the Spaniard, failing to score in four of them. The club quickly turned back to Chris Wilder, the man who led them to two promotions and Premier League football during his first spell.

But even Wilder’s return has yet to spark a revival. The only bright spot so far has been a nervy 1-0 win away at Oxford United, a match where the hosts hit the post in stoppage time before the Blades eventually scrambled it clear.

Sheffield United CEO Breaks Silence on Summer Departures And January Transfer Window Plans

Despite the dire form, Bettis publicly backed Wilder, dismissing speculation about his future. “Chris is the right man,” Bettis said firmly.

Bettis confirmed that the club’s summer transfer plans were largely dictated by circumstance, with key departures pre-determined.

“It was very clear early on we would sell both players [Anel Ahmedhodzic and Vinicius Souza] in the summer,” he explained. “Both had made their intentions very clear they did not want to be at the football club in the Championship.”

This comment has only further amplified anger amongst sections of the fan base because: if the board knew Ahmedhodzic and Souza were leaving in the summer, why on earth did it take weeks to sort out a replacement? And this is the kind of thing the Blades have done in the last few summer windows.

But Bettis insisted planning for January is already underway. “Right now, Chris and I are very clear on what we want to do in January already. We want to get our business done, ins and outs, as quickly as possible.”

Bettis Provides Update on Dore Training Ground

Stephen Bettis provides an update on Sheffield United’s new training ground at Dore.

Away from the pitch, Bettis confirmed major progress on the long-awaited Dore training ground project.

“Dore is going to get done, for sure. We’ve spent a lot of money acquiring it. We’ve recently just bought another piece of land adjoining it to make the site even bigger.”

He also reiterated the club’s goal of achieving Category One academy status, allowing United’s youth teams to face higher-calibre opponents.

“You’re seeing us every week, our teams are winning most of their games at academy level because the opposition isn’t tough enough. They need the step up.”

While it’s good to see the club’s long-term ambitions, these are being overshadowed by how poor United are performing right now on the pitch. And because of this, relegation is a real possibility if Sheffield United do not see an upturn in form.