Chris Wilder’s return at Sheffield United should trigger big change involving Gus Hamer | OneFootball

Chris Wilder has been appointed Sheffield United boss for the third time

Sheffield United have appointed Chris Wilder as manager for the third time.

The Blades have started the 2025/26 campaign in nightmare fashion, after coming agonisingly close to achieving promotion to the Premier League last term.

Under Wilder, the Steel City side finished the 2024/25 Championship season third in the table with 90 points, becoming just the second side in the competition’s history to achieve that total and not get automatically promoted.

They dispatched of Bristol City 6-0 in the play-off semi-finals emphatically, breaking the Championship record for the largest margin of play-off victory.

However, United were stunned by Sunderland in the final at Wembley and faced the once inconceivable prospect of another year in the second-tier.

Wilder was subsequently sacked, with the higher-ups at Bramall Lane deciding that Ruben Selles was a better choice to lead them forward.

That proved to be an ill-fated decision, with the 42-year-old already unemployed less than three months after taking charge.

Sheffield United lost the first five games of a Football League campaign for just the second time in their history under the Spaniard and a 5-0 hammering against Ipswich Town was too much for the club to ignore.

Many of the Blades’ best operators from last season haven’t been able to replicate their performances during the opening stanza of this term, which could be due to the loss of Wilder’s man-management skills.

One such player is Gus Hamer, who may be about to explode back into life following Wilder’s return to Bramall Lane.

Chris Wilder could get the best out of Gus Hamer with positional change

Last season saw Hamer perform at his highest ever level, recognised by the fact that he was awarded the Championship’s Player of the Year prize.

These performances came from the left wing, which was Wilder’s preferred area to deploy the Dutchman.

However, Selles looked to utilise the 28-year-old in a holding midfield role, which didn’t allow the player to flourish as much.

Hamer hasn't registered a league goal or assist in five outings, after 18 goal involvements last year (10 goals, eight assists).

Now Wilder has assumed the managerial role at Bramall Lane once more, it isn’t unlikely to think that the former Coventry City man will be moved back to the left.

This may allow Hamer to perform at his best once more, which would be a huge boost for the Blades.

If he can return to his levels of last term, it will play a huge role in pushing the Second City side out of the drop zone and back up the Championship table.

Chris Wilder could have a Louie Barry problem amid Gus Hamer decision

If Wilder does move Hamer back to the left flank to try and replicate last season’s success, it could create a problem within another area of his camp.

Louie Barry joined Sheffield United on a season-long loan from Aston Villa and has been the preferred choice in that position so far this campaign.

The 22-year-old has struggled for form at Bramall Lane this term, which could be directly linked to how poorly the Blades have performed on the whole.

He hasn’t recorded a goal contribution in five Championship starts, after scoring 15 goals in 23 League One appearances for Stockport County last season.

Although dropping Barry would be tough and may potentially frustrate Villa, it could be a risk Wilder has to take.

If he can get Hamer back to his level of last year, it could be a massively important factor in returning to the competitiveness they have previously displayed under Wilder.