Focus on Chris Wilder and Regis Le Bris ahead of Championship play-off final
Chris Wilder (Sheff Utd)
Five-time promotion winner Wilder, front second right, led the south Yorkshire club to the Premier League in 2019 (Danny Lawson/PA)
The 57-year-old is a proven winner, having guided the Blades from League One to the Premier League during his first spell in charge. He also won promotion with former clubs Alfreton, Oxford and Northampton. Wilder knows what it takes to get the job done.
His man-management and motivational powers are a real attribute. All Wilder's sides possess 'never-say-die' attitudes, under-pinned by a siege-mentality in a united dressing room – which gets the best out of his players.
No-nonsense Wilder is not just a tub-thumper either. His basic principles are non-negotiable, but his flexible, innovative tactics – he used and then abandoned overlapping centre-halves when last in the Premier League – won widespread acclaim and the admiration of Pep Guardiola.
Fiercely passionate and opinionated, Wilder can overstep the mark, with outspoken comments leading to several run-ins with the game's authorities and opposing players and managers.
He will also call out his own club's fans if he deems criticism of him or his players unfair. He can be confrontational and is sometimes perceived to be divisive.
Regis Le Bris (Sunderland)
Le Bris has used youth to his advantage at Sunderland (Cody Froggatt/PA)
Many eyebrows were raised when the then little-known Frenchman was appointed by the Wearside club at the start of the season, having overseen Lorient's relegation to Ligue 2 last year.
However, the Black Cats – who finished 16th last season – have been involved in the fight for automatic promotion for large parts of this term and now stand just one match away from a top-flight return.
Le Bris' squad have the youngest average age in the league (23.2 years), with teenagers Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham playing central roles and the likes of Dan Neil, Trai Hume and Eliezer Mayenda having plenty of exciting years ahead of them.
Sunderland, who spent time atop the Championship standings early in the season, finished the regular campaign with five straight defeats and with the fewest goals scored out of the top six, but will hope to have turned a corner following their dramatic play-off semi-final win over Coventry.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Harvey Elliott provides telling update on Liverpool future after Reds' spending spree
Liverpool have spent nearly £300million this summer and with Alexander Isak potentially adding another £125m on, it's inevitable that the Reds will have to listen to offers for the likes of Harvey Elliott Liverpool star Harvey Elliott has again revealed that he's open to leaving the club. Elliott, 22, is reportedly a target for West Ham after a bittersweet season at Anfield. The midfielder helped Arne Slot's side win the Premier League title but he started just six games in all competitions. Elliott reminded clubs of his magic during the under-21 European Championship, as England retained their crown and the Liverpool star was named Player of the Tournament. Elliott scored five goals from midfield, including in the final against Germany. After returning to Liverpool and travelling with his team-mates to Asia for their pre-season tour, the former Fulham wonderkid is pondering an exit. "Look, if I had it my way, I'd be here for the rest of my career, it's as simple as that, I love everything about the club," Elliott told The Anfield Wrap in Hong Kong. "But at the same time I kind of need to be selfish with myself and see what's best for me. I have big ambitions. I want to go to the World Cup. I want to keep being successful as a player. "I think it's still something I need to review. I need to have a talk with everyone, really and review the situation because we've had many new players come in, so whether it blocks the path for me I'm not sure, it's something I need to decide and have a look at. "My main focus is here now. At the moment I'm here for the season, as far as I'm aware, unless if anything changes, we have a busy pre-season, it's non-stop, I need to make sure I'm focus on that and just be ready for everything." His departure could come at the perfect time for Liverpool, who've spent an eye-watering £300million this summer and will want to recoup a chunk of that through sales. The Reds could also be about to slap down a British-record £125m bid in an attempt to prise Alexander Isak out of Newcastle. Liverpool have signed seven players so far, a stark contrast to Slot's quiet first transfer window. Hugo Ekitike became the latest addition on Wednesday, joining Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman. The Reds began their run of pre-season friendlies with a 3-1 victory over Preston North End. They're are next in action against AC Milan on Saturday before facing Yokohama F. Marinos. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
South Wales Guardian
22 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Alexander Isak considers flying the Magpies nest, report suggests
The Daily Mail reported the news on Thursday morning, hours after the club confirmed Isak was not part of the Newcastle squad travelling to Asia for pre-season friendlies due to a minor thigh injury. Isak's 23 Premier League goals last season made him one of the world's hottest properties, and he has been linked with Liverpool in recent weeks. Eddie Howe has an almost fully-fit squad to choose from, however Alexander Isak misses out with a minor thigh injury. Lewis Hall is available following an injury lay-off and could feature in South Korea. — Newcastle United (@NUFC) July 24, 2025 Newcastle were not immediately available for comment. Mail Sport reported the club's hierarchy were now aware of Isak's desire to explore the possibility of a transfer this summer. Isak still has three years left on his contract at Newcastle, who he joined in the summer of 2022 from Spanish side Real Sociedad. Liverpool were reported to be interested in signing Isak earlier this month, at the same time as the two clubs were in the hunt for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. The Reds have since signed Ekitike, understood to be for an initial £69million with a further £10m in potential add-ons.
Metro
22 minutes ago
- Metro
Aston Villa respond to Man Utd approach for Ollie Watkins
Manchester United have made an approach to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, according to reports. Ruben Amorim is keen for United to add a new striker to his squad ahead of the new Premier League season. Deals for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo have already been completed to bolster United's attacking options this summer, but Amorim wants another experienced central striker to ease the burden on Rasmus Hojlund, who scored just four goals in the Premier League last season. So far this summer, United have been rejected by Liam Delap, who went on to join Chelsea in a £30m deal from Ipswich Town, while Hugo Ekitike turned down an approach from Amorim's side and opted to move to Liverpool instead. According to The Telegraph, United have now turned to Watkins and an approach has been made to Villa over the 29-year-old's availability. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. However, Villa are said to have told United that they are not willing to entertain offers for their striker. Watkins was the subject of a £40 million bid from Arsenal in the January transfer window but Villa turned down the offer from Mikel Arteta's side. The striker was also unhappy with Unai Emery after he was benched for both of Villa's Champions League quarter-final legs against Paris Saint-Germain in April. 'We've put in a lot of hard graft the last few years to get to that position. And obviously I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games,' Watkins said. 'I'm not going to lie. I was fuming I wasn't playing and I let him know that. 'But he's the manager at the end of the day and you've got to respect his decision, but I'm not one of those players that's happy to sit on the bench.' Watkins, who joined Villa in a £33m deal from Brentford in 2020, finished last season with 17 goals in all competitions. United, meanwhile, have also failed with an offer to sign goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on loan from Villa. More Trending The Argentina international, who was in tears as he waved goodbye to Villa fans in the final home game of last season, is understood to be keen on a move to Old Trafford. Villa have set a £40m asking price for Martinez, who is currently with the squad for their pre-season tour in the United States. United are in the market for a new goalkeeper due to Andre Onana's inconsistent performances in his two seasons at the club. The Cameroon international will also miss the majority of United's pre-season campaign due to a hamstring injury. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Declan Rice makes 'shock' prediction for new Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke MORE: Alexander Isak drops transfer bombshell with Liverpool keen on £150m Newcastle star MORE: Harvey Elliott raises doubt over Liverpool future after West Ham transfer approach
