Why Chris Wilder has returned to Sheffield United - COH Sports have revealed it in 40 words | OneFootball

Chris Wilder is back at Sheffield United for a third stint as manager

Chris Wilder has been announced as the new Sheffield United manager for the third time in his career.

The change comes just 89 days after Wilder was relieved of his duties as Blades manager and replaced by Ruben Selles following their play-off final defeat against Sunderland.

However, after six defeats in six competitive games to open the new campaign, punctuated by a 5-0 drubbing against Ipswich Town, Sheffield United have once again turned to the man who has overseen plenty of recent success in the Bramall Lane dugout.

In a statement following Wilder's re-hire, Sheffield United owners COH Sports released a statement admitting that an attempt to adopt a different style of play didn't meet expectations regarding results.

The statement also goes on to explain why the Stocksbridge-born boss has been brought back to Bramall Lane for a third time.

Sheffield United owners issue statement following Chris Wilder return

Chris Wilder's return to Sheffield United will please plenty of Blades fans, as the majority of those inside Bramall Lane didn't believe that the manager, who turns 58 next Tuesday, should have been relieved of his duties in the first place.

"Chris Wilder returns with proven leadership and an unparalleled understanding of Sheffield United," the Board of Directors said in their official statement welcoming Wilder back to the club.

"We are confident he is the right person to restore momentum, unite the squad and supporters, and deliver the results necessary to achieve our objectives this season."

COH Sports still feels that, with 41 games remaining of the Championship season, the Blades can still return to a side ready to battle at the top of the second tier, and with Wilder's record at Bramall Lane, there can't be many objecting against that perhaps becoming a reality.

The question remains whether Sheffield United will revert to their style pre-Selles, which helped the Blades earn 92 points on the field last season, especially given the likes of Vini Souza and Anel Ahmedhodzic, two players who were key to how Wilder's side operated last season, are no longer at the club.

Sheffield United given lifeline with legendary manager's return

From an outsider's perspective, it can be difficult to see why Wilder, who has now been sacked twice by Sheffield United, would return to the club, but it just helps amplify the close relationship that the manager has with the club and its fans.

This season was looking incredibly bleak for the Blades, and, arguably, only one man would have the "proven leadership and understanding" to turn the ship around immediately and get the club back to challenging where they expect to be.

Wilder has plenty of time here to make an impact, and after 41 games last season, the Blades had 85 points. To get to that many by May would be miraculous, but it hasn't been impossible in the past.

When Nottingham Forest were promoted in 2022, they began the campaign with just one point in the opening five games, and four in eight games when Steve Cooper was hired in late September.

Therefore, a complete turnaround may be improbable, but not impossible, and given Wilder's history with Sheffield United, you'd feel it'd be more likely than not.

He has a huge game against Charlton Athletic on Saturday in front of the home fans to kickstart the season, and if the Blades can get one in the win column against the Addicks, then that belief of a positive season will start to grow.