Exclusive: Sky pundit reveals the only doubt Chris Wilder will have about returning to Sheffield United | OneFootball

Sheffield United have sacked Ruben Selles after five Championship matches

Chris Wilder is on the cusp of a sensational return to Sheffield United, with Lee Hendrie highlighting the only sticking point will be the circumstances he left in.

The 57-year-old was dismissed by the Blades at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, after failing to achieve promotion to the Premier League.

Wilder had guided the Steel City Side to a points tally of 90, becoming one of only a few sides in the division’s history to achieve that total and not get automatically promoted.

The higher-ups at United opted to trade his experience and know-how for the relatively untested Ruben Selles, who had just avoided the drop whilst in charge of Hull City on goal difference.

This ultimately proved to be an ill-fated decision. The Blades have made a nightmare start to the 2025/26 campaign, losing the first five games of a Football League season for just the second time in their history.

Selles was subsequently sacked by the club, with a 5-0 hammering away at Ipswich Town deemed to be the final straw.

Soon after the Spaniard’s dismissal was announced, reports began surfacing that United were sounding out former boss Wilder for a third stint in charge at Bramall Lane.

The Sheffield Star revealed that the Steel City Side were exploring a move to bring the former Watford and Middlesbrough manager back again, whilst talkSPORT’s Alex Crook stated via X that Wilder’s return was imminent for a third time.

After such a spectacular series of events, Sky Sports pundit and former Aston Villa midfielder, Lee Hendrie, has weighed in on whether Wilder should make a return back to the side that deemed him not suitable just months ago.

Lee Hendrie highlights Chris Wilder sticking point amid Sheffield United return

“After the number of times that Sheffield United have turned back and gone back to managers that have been there previously, such as Paul Heckingbottom and Chris Wilder, it wouldn't be a surprise at all,” stated Hendrie.

“It really wouldn't be. I always felt that with Chris leaving the Football Club. After that point deduction they had, they got so close to promotion, but they did finish the season relatively poorly, and that's why they didn't go up automatically.

“I think you need to be prepared for what you're going to receive at this football club. So, it wouldn't surprise me if Chris ended up being offered to come back. It's just whether he would take it after the situation that he left in.”

Chris Wilder has a huge job on his hands at Shefffield United

When Wilder walks back through the doors of Bramall Lane, he will likely do so sporting a small grin after the events of the previous few months.

After the Blades took Leeds United and Burnley all the way in the promotion fight last term, the gamble that is play-off football didn’t go their way, but it was clear to see they were by far the third-best side in the division.

The higher-ups at Sheffield United weren’t happy to accept that and believed that Selles would be the man to guide them higher up the table.

Instead, they plummeted to the foot of it and have been the Championship’s worst side after five matches.

Wilder’s return will no doubt have an instant impact, revitalising the dressing room and making players believe in themselves once more.

However, he still has a very tough job on his hands.

The Steel City side are already nine points off sixth place and have looked a far cry from the brilliant team that came so close to promotion last term.

Wilder will have to hope his experience and expertise with the Blades in the Championship can provide the necessary remedy to get them back firing, with a place in the play-offs still the ultimate goal.