Sheffield Wednesday ‘to appoint’ Simon Wilson as sporting director after David Bruce move | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday are close to appointing Simon Wilson as sporting director, according to The Star.

The deal is not signed, but the 43-year-old visited Hillsborough this week to meet key figures and is understood to have agreed outline terms.

If completed, Wilson would be the second former Sunderland figure to arrive after David Bruce was confirmed as CEO. The moves are being led by Wednesday’s new hierarchy following Arise Capital Partners’ takeover.

Wilson was chief football officer at Sunderland during the Martin Bain and David Moyes era after joining from Manchester City. He worked on restructuring scouting, recruitment and the academy as the club fell from the Premier League towards League One.

He built his reputation at Stockport County, joining in 2019 as sporting director then also becoming CEO. Stockport rose from non-league to the top end of League One, winning the National League and League Two, and finishing third this season to enter the play-offs.

His Stockport exit was announced at the end of April after a scheduled six-year review with owner Mark Stott, leaving by mutual consent. He previously worked within City Football Group, chiefly with Manchester City, and consulted for UEFA and Ajax.

Portsmouth sporting director Rich Hughes was also considered, but Wilson is now expected to take the role. Wednesday’s owners sought League One know-how and a promotion record as they move quickly after Dejphon Chansiri’s time as chairman ended following relegation from the Championship at the end of the season.

Source: Sunderland Echo