Sheffield United's Chris Wilder makes classy Sheffield Wednesday claim - it's different to what was said in 2024/25 | OneFootball

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder opens up on Sheffield Wednesday's ownership situation

Chris Wilder has weighed in on Sheffield Wednesday’s current ownership situation before the Steel City derby.

Wilder has historically been linked to the red side of the Steel City, taking over for his third stint in charge of Sheffield United earlier this season just months after being dismissed.

During his time as manager at Bramall Lane, he has led United to the Premier League and maintained their status in the division, whilst also guiding them to a 90-point finish in the second-tier last term.

This success has occurred during a period of time when Wednesday were in League One and the Championship, unable to match the achievements of their bitter rivals, which means that Wilder is far from loved throughout the Owls’ fanbase, particularly after a number of public outbursts after doing the double last year.

However, before the two sides meet in the Steel City derby, United’s boss removed his bias to discuss Wednesday’s ownership situation.

Chris Wilder makes Sheffield Wednesday admission amid ownership situation

The Owls’ struggles have been well-documented in 2025, with Dejphon Chansiri failing to pay players on time for five of the last seven months of his reign, leading to members of the squad leaving for free, transfer embargoes and a point deduction.

Eventually, in late October, the Thai businessman placed Wednesday into administration after being unable to satisfy a £1m HMRC bill.

11 parties are now reportedly interested in taking over Henrik Pedersen’s side, including the likes of Mike Ashley, John Textor and John McEvoy.

When speaking to BBC Sheffield, Wilder made reference to the fact that United’s upper hand over Wednesday won’t last forever, whilst admitting that there were better times on the horizon for the Owls.

“I’m not daft enough to think that’s going to last forever, especially if positive things happen for Sheffield Wednesday and they get taken over by people who want to invest and want to do things properly and not put the club in a perilous position.

“As I’ve always said, custodians. Maybe the last guy wasn’t really a custodian; he didn’t really have all the feelings of the Sheffield Wednesday public had. It’s really important that owners look after their football club.

“Everybody understands in the city that there is a bright future ahead and that they are going to be a lot better for it. Let’s talk about this from a genuine point of view; I’ve never celebrated a Sheffield Wednesday victory, as I suppose Barry Bannan has never celebrated a Rangers victory. That’s just the way we’re brought up.

“But for the overall scenario, as a football historian and a football lover, what has happened to the players, staff around Sheffield Wednesday that have worked there for 15 or 25 years; what the players and the manager have to go through. It feels like a new beginning.”

Chris Wilder admission may surprise Sheffield Wednesday supporters

Throughout Wilder’s time as United boss, he has traditionally not had the best relationship with Wednesday supporters, for obvious reasons.

After winning the Steel City derby for a second time last term, footage was released of the Blades’ boss celebrating in an X-rated clip, telling his rivals to “mind the gap” repeatedly.

This worsened his reputation with the Hillsborough faithful even further, but that may have changed following his most recent comments.

Being able to admit that there was a “bright future” ahead for Wednesday whilst throwing shade at Chansiri in the process could have clawed back a slight amount of respect for his name throughout the Owls’ fanbase, with his comments sure to surprise a lot of fans.