Chris Wilder makes dig at Sheffield United board and reveals Middlesbrough plans

Chris Wilder makes a dig at the Sheffield United board and also reveals his plans for Middlesbrough now that he’s back in business.

Having tasted life in the Premier League with the Blades, he ‘definitely’ wants to return there and hopes to do so with Boro after coming in to replace another ex-Sheffield United boss in Neil Warnock.

Wilder has been out of work since his departure from Bramall Lane earlier in the year, which came during a really disappointing relegation season, which saw the club finish rock bottom and set the record for the worst start to a top flight campaign.

It came off the back of a surprisingly good top 10 finish, which at one point had United firmly on course for a place in Europe before the break in play as a result of the pandemic knocked them off course.

They never recovered and reality, after an unforgettable journey from League One, eventually caught up with the club but not before a fall out between manager and owner.

The club experienced a difficult transfer window with both pointing the finger of blame at each other to see them build on that excellent first season in the top flight and, looking back with a moment of honest reflection, Wilder says there were things he wishes he did differently.

However, there were also a number of things outside of his control as Sheffield United suffered more than most clubs during an unprecedented season.

“There was a lot of reflection during the break,” he told talkSPORT.

“You always want to try and reflect.

“You try and reflect after matches and at certain key points of a season.

“But the thing that you don’t get, working at the level we’ve been working at, is enough time to do that.

“So I’ve had a few months to do that!

“Listen, I’m honest in myself and there are certain things that we could have done better in the back end of my time at Sheffield United. But there were certain other stuff that you couldn’t control.

“But ultimately, the next challenge and the next mountain to climb is the one in front of me and I’m delighted.

“It’s a great fit for me. And now hopefully myself and my staff can show the previous qualities that we’ve shown at our previous clubs to Middlesbrough.

“It’s been a long time out of the Premier League, and having the brief taste of the Premier League that we had in our careers, we definitely want to get back in there.”

One of the rumours that has done the rounds on social media is that Wilder refused to work with a Director of Football. However, speaking in his first big press conference as Middlesbrough manager, Wilder appeared to dispel those rumours, and took a minor dig at United’s board in the process.

“I know there’s a lot of talk… and I don’t know what the word is about me wanting to run absolutely everything. It’s complete nonsense. Absolute nonsense,” Wilder said.

“I just wanted to work with good people who had the same vision and ideas and ethics of how I see a football club running. And Steve (Gibson) and Kieran Scott – who’s been brought in to be Dof – are all on the same page going forward.”

Fan site Sheffield United News gave their view: “While we’ve never taken sides on Sheffield United News, we’d love to hear more from Wilder about what happened. Some will know, and some of the talk on social media will be close to the truth.

“Prince Abdullah has twice taken the chance to speak his mind about United and Wilder. However, he’s not been challenged much either. He hasn’t spoken to the local media in recent memory, and as things stand, is nowhere to be seen.

“Our opinion? Well, we think Wilder saw something coming that United fans are now seeing. A squad on the decline, with minimal opportunity for investment, and too many cooks at boardroom level wanting to get involved in signings.

“It’s well known Wilder and Jan van Winkel didn’t see eye to eye on footballing matters. But whether more will ever come out, remains to be seen.

“For what it’s worth, we hope Chris Wilder does well on Teesside. He deserves a good reception at Bramall Lane in January. Hopefully, he gets it, and everyone can move on.”

Wilder wants to rebuild the Teessiders into a top flight side and take on “Manchester United and Liverpool” again.

Boro won the Carling Cup, and got to the UEFA Cup final in their top seasons under Steve McClaren, something which was 15 years ago.

But they have been in the Championship for 11 of the last 12 seasons and are now setting a target of getting out of it – and are just four points off the playoffs, sitting 14th with 22 points from 17 games played.

Fans gave their reaction as Chris Wilder makes a dig at the Sheffield United board and reveals Middlesbrough plans…

Not a fan of Neil Warnock is he!?

— Mal (@TheRedCritic) November 9, 2021

@radburn75: Very very impressive. Strong, unruffled. I like this. UTB

@rob_fletcher_: Great to here from a manager who’s open and honest about his ambitions and can see the potential the club has.

@DaveRennie77: First manager we’ve had for a long, long time that actually gets me excited! Brilliant appointment, and can finally really see the cogs turn behind the scenes now IMO #utb

@motleysfool: Really enjoyed this. Looking forward to seeing what changes and improvements he makes over the coming weeks. Finally feels like we have a joined up approach. #boro #utb

@CalRoddy14: The man gets it. #UTB

@BladeWarny: He’s still bitter, cmon Chris you’ve got a new job. Bitter Chris is poor chris wilder the manager #moveon

@wallsendredicko: Mind this has made me feel extremely proud of Middlesbrough hearing the manager speak in such glowing terms about us. And more importantly I have a confident feel about the future 👍🏻 UTB

A few people were apprehensive about Chris Wilder working with a Head of Football at Boro because of supposed unrest at Sheffield United but he clears all of that up here.

🎙 “We’re all on the same page” pic.twitter.com/CxAu0rDNwp

— The Boro Breakdown Podcast (@Boro_Breakdown) November 9, 2021

@lowesjamie1987: Chris Wilder is saying everything right isn’t he? Love him already #UTB

@MisterInspecto1: Got a really good feeling about the appointment of Chris Wilder, love the blokes attitude passion and desire to win, plays lovely footbal and expects nothing but 100% from the players, and having a director of football who knows what’s best clubs got a bright future #utb #boro

@RudiKinsella: It’s very mad to me that Chris Wilder, a man who performed a genuine miracle with Sheffield United, just took the Boro job and Newcastle, Norwich and Villa just let him do so. He should have been snapped up.

@mreldoubleu: Kills me seeing him working for someone else. The best manager United have ever had. All the best messiah, thanks for one hell of a journey ❤️⚔️

@jaynetn1409: This hurts but wish him well.

@1889Dylan: i’m not crying

@jackellis35: Glad he can speak out now and say what he’s wanted to say for so long.

@MichaelConnor88: Any one else’s balls ache when he mentioned Neil bausor?

@LincolnBlade1: Board fucked up big time! One of our own

@JamesAl02202821: Some blades think he left us in the shit 😂

@Firthy_6: And some people think he walked out… board have shafted us and they don’t give a toss

@JonGray01045779: Probably Boro’s best signing in the last 10 years. He’s a class act and I hope will give you the same smiles and level of joy that he gave us. Get yourselves buckled in for a tremendous ride 👍👏👍

@TheLedge71: You got one of the best in the business. Massive upgrade on your last manager. With Wilder and Knill you have a real chance at Premiership football again. Good luck.

@cal_gregory: Only thing he walked away from was a situation that was untenable. Sad that some blades fan believe a charlatan who doesn’t care about our club over a man who always just wanted the best for it.