Sheffield United manager Wilder extends contract

Chris Wilder, in his third spell as Sheffield United manager, extends his contract until the summer of 2028.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has signed a contract extension until the summer of 2028. Wilder returned to Bramall Lane last September on a deal running until next year, but that has now been extended. The 58-year-old is in his third spell in charge of the Blades and has managed almost 450 games with the club.

"Chris is the right man to lead Sheffield United, and we couldn't be happier that he's committed his future to the club," said co-chairman Steven Rosen. "His energy, his honesty and his understanding of what this club means to its supporters have been clear to all of us." A boyhood supporter of Sheffield United and then a player for the club, Wilder was first appointed manager in 2016.

Across nearly five years in charge, he led them to promotions from League One and the Championship and their best Premier League finish of ninth. There were spells at Middlesbrough and Watford in between before he returned to the Blades in December 2023 as a replacement for Paul Heckingbottom. He was unable to prevent their relegation from the Premier League that season and then finished third and lost the Championship play-off final to Sunderland as they agonisingly missed out on promotion.

Wilder left the club after that Wembley loss - albeit only for three months - and was reappointed after a woeful spell under Spaniard Ruben Selles. The Blades ended the campaign 13th, their lowest position for nine years, but Wilder will be determined to do much better this season. He said: "We're working hard behind the scenes to get everything ready for the season ahead and we'll be pushing hard to make this campaign - and future campaigns - successful for Sheffield United."