logo
Chris Wilder sacked as Sheffield United manager after Championship play-off final failure

Chris Wilder sacked as Sheffield United manager after Championship play-off final failure

Independent18-06-2025
Chris Wilder has been sacked as Sheffield United boss close to a month on from losing the Championship play-off final to Sunderland.
Failing to guide the Blades back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, Wilder's second stint at Bramall Lane ends after 18 months, having taken over midway through their relegation-doomed 2023/24 campaign.
The Independent understands his dismissal comes following a disagreement over recruitment plans and other issues.
Wilder spent five years at the club between 2016 and 2021, where he led Sheffield United from League One to the Premier League and even to the brink of Europe, finishing five points off the Europa League places in their first season up.
He took his total tally of games managed at the club to 305 during his second spell in charge in the Steel City, rejoining the Blades after stints at Middlesbrough and Watford.
The 57-year-old has now been let go three years before the expected expiry of his contract in 2028.
Sheffield United were part of three-horse race for automatic promotion from the Championship last term, but were pipped to the top two by Leeds United and Burnley, who both finished the campaign on 100 points.
The Blades, meanwhile, ended the normal season on a tally of 92, leaving them a sizeable 16 points ahead of fourth-place Sunderland as they headed into the ever-precarious play-offs.
After dispatching Bristol City over two semi-final legs by an aggregate score of 6-0, they set up a Wembley showdown with the Black Cats, confident that they could emerge victorious in football's richest game.
But after taking the lead in a dominant first-half, they failed to make chances count and would succumb to a dramatic comeback from Sunderland, with Tom Watson firing in a 95th-minute winner to send Regis Le Bris's side back to the top flight for the first time since 2017.
It leaves Sheffield United resigned to another year in the Championship, where they will be expected to join recently-relegated Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton in the race for promotion.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Aitana Bonmati makes England claim and reveals Spain targeted one Germany star
Aitana Bonmati makes England claim and reveals Spain targeted one Germany star

Metro

time9 minutes ago

  • Metro

Aitana Bonmati makes England claim and reveals Spain targeted one Germany star

Aitana Bonmati says she had 'studied' Ann-Katrin Berger's questionable positioning before beating the German goalkeeper at the near post to send Spain into the Women's Euro 2025 final. Wednesday night's semi-final between Spain and Germany proved a cagey affair, with the two teams unable to be separated after 90 minutes – 24 hours on from England's dramatic extra-time victory over Italy. But not for the first time, Bonmati stepped up when it mattered with a moment of inspiration to help seal La Roja – the world champions – a spot in their first-ever European Championship final. After picking up possession from Athenea del Castillo on the edge of the box, the two-time Ballon d'Or winner raced through and spotted a sizeable gap between Berger and the German's left upright. With Berger momentarily distracted, Bonmati rifled the ball with some venom into the net from the tightest of angles, sending Spain's support into raptures at Zurich's Stadion Letzigrund. Germany, the 2022 runners-up, had no answer in response to Bonmati's 113th-minute strike, meaning Sunday's showpiece will be a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final. 'I don't believe in destiny. I believe in work, in my mentality,' Bonmati said of Spain's victory over Germany. 'I've had great support, here and at home. I'm always grateful for that 'I'm proud because we deserve it. We had a tremendous championship. 'It was the first time that we have beaten Germany, and on top of that, we reached the final. We work for this every day.' Bonmati 'didn't hesitate for a second' when she realised that Berger had left her a large portion of the goal to aim for – an invitation which she took with both hands. 'We, the analysts and the goalkeeping coach, had studied it and we concluded that sometimes the near post was empty,' the Barcelona midfielder explained. 'It was a pass into the net. I didn't hesitate for a second.' Spain got the better of England on the grandest stage of all two years ago, with Olga Carmona's first-half goal proving decisive Down Under in Sydney. By hook or by crook, the Lionesses have managed to secure their place in a third successive tournament final this summer, twice coming from behind in their last two matches. More Trending But according to Bonmati, England's recent performances in Switzerland are 'meaningless' and Spain will start 'thinking about' Sarina Wiegman's side once the dust has settled on their semi-final win. On Spain's opposition, Bonmati said: 'England? The last few games are meaningless. 'There are different moments, different styles. 'I think this win tonight deserves to be celebrated. Tomorrow we'll think about England.' Who will win the Women's Euro 2025? For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Millie Bright praises England duo and makes Euro 2025 final prediction MORE: DJ dies 'after being beaten by cops' at Ibiza party when police were 'called over noise' MORE: Michelle Agyemang reacts to wild journey from England ball girl to Euro 2025 saviour

Spain illustrate their genius to set up Euro 2025 final showdown with England
Spain illustrate their genius to set up Euro 2025 final showdown with England

The Independent

time9 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Spain illustrate their genius to set up Euro 2025 final showdown with England

If it was anyone else in the world, you might wonder whether she really meant it. If it was anyone else in the world, though, Spain probably wouldn't have even been in that position to score. As it is, the world champions are in their first ever women's European Championship final, thanks to the genius of Aitana Bonmati. It wasn't just about the ingenuity, but the intelligence. Aitaina later said that Spain had been studying Ann-Katrin Berger's movements and how the goalkeeper stepped away from her near post. The playmaker put it exactly where she needed for a 1-0 win over resolute Germany, exactly when it was needed - minutes from the end of extra-time. So, England face up to a repeat of the 2023 final, from a moment that no other player could possibly hope to repeat. Or maybe even imagine. Even before Aitana drilled the ball inside Berger's near post, there was the mercurial quality of the turn. You could actually say Germany had due warning, even if it's almost impossible to predict what a player as good as this will do. Aitana had nevertheless foreshadowed it with the assist for the crucial goal against Switzerland in the quarter-final. She had let the ball roll through her legs to flick it in for Athenea del Castillo. Here, Aitana turned and went on and helped herself. England are going to have to watch for that, except you never know when it's coming. That's the joy of a player like this. Just look at Berger, and the symbolism of beating the best goalkeeper of the tournament so far. The German had stopped everything up to then, a series of shots on target. For this match-winner, she couldn't even see it coming. Berger even pointed to her right, just before Aitana shot to her left. Maybe the biggest giveaway before Aitana's own words was that she never even looked for a runner. She knew what to do. She also did it when it mattered most. How Spain needed it. Berger's commanding performance had played into a growing Spanish frustration, where a visible angst was undercutting their play. They weren't pressing with the same intensity or anywhere near as high up the pitch. They weren't even passing the ball with the same vigour. Fortified by Berger, the Germans looked so assured in defence. All of Carlota Wamser, Janina Minge and Rebecca Knaak stood up so well, among others. It looked and felt like a slow descent to penalties, which might literally have played into Berger's hands. Only deepening the potential psychological angst of that, there was the fact that Spain had never beaten Germany. Ever. You could sense that being a factor as the game wore on, not to mention Spain's comparatively poor knock-out record. It remains a remarkable thing to say about world champions, but this was only their sixth ever victory outside a group stage. They began to make some strange decisions in those stretched final stages of the 90, and then extra-time. That extended to the substitutions, and particularly the removal of Claudia Pina, or the choice of Salma Paralluelo over Vicky Lopez. Except, in some ways, such debatable flaws only further emphasise Spain's strength. Even if they haven't got the right mix, or the formation doesn't quite work, they just have so many different players that can hurt you. And at the centre of it is always Aitana, able to produce something like that. It's going to be an immense challenge for England, but Sarina Wiegman can perhaps point to some elements of encouragement from the game. Germany gave the best blueprint yet (an admittedly common theme) for how to face Spain. They stopped them like no one else. They almost won it at the end of the 90, too, forcing Cata Coll into a double save that was arguably the equal of anything Berger offered. It looked like Klara Buhl's deflected shot was going to drop into the net like a falling leaf, only for the goalkeeper to claw it away before showing incredible reflexes and strength to immediately get up and block Carlotta Wamser's effort. That was a moment every bit as important as Aitana's goal, even if it will naturally be overtaken in the collective memories of this semi-final. There was a lot to take in, which is another element. Spain had to go the distance, and to the very end of extra-time, and that with one day less to prepare than England. Except, in all of that, and a performance that was understandably their least convincing of the tournament so far, they still created a series of chances. They still showed a resolve to match England's. They still showed their genius, as well as the special quality of their star player. No matter anyone's opinion on whether the goal was meant, there's no disputing its meaning. The world champions are in their first ever European Championship final, for a grand showdown with England. A moment like that only makes it even more of a match to savour.

Littler wins Wattimena thriller but Van Gerwen goes out
Littler wins Wattimena thriller but Van Gerwen goes out

BBC News

time10 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Littler wins Wattimena thriller but Van Gerwen goes out

Luke Littler survived a real scare before fighting back to beat Jermaine Wattimena 13-11 in a thriller to reach the World Matchplay quarter-finals in Blackpool, but three-time champion Michael van Gerwen is out after defeat to Josh champion Littler looked out of sorts at Winter Gardens as he slipped 4-0 and then 7-2 behind against Dutchman pulling one leg back immediately before the second break, a clearly fired up Littler let out a roar of delight and gestured to the crowd that he was not going home just returned from the break reinvigorated, winning six legs in a row, but Wattimena rediscovered his composure and the two players traded blows to send the game to a tie breakLittler missed two match darts as the nerves began to show, but after making the third he once again roared in celebration and pointed to the star on his shirt, which signifies his World Championship victory."When I pointed to the star on my shirt, I'm a world champion for a reason, I find these gears when I need it," Littler told Sky Sports."I've not felt pressure like that since the first round of the World Championship. I was a bit nervous and it's on to my third game here, I've won two of them."I want to get back on stage and right now I can't wait to be in the quarter-final."Van Gerwen made a flying start against Northern Ireland's Rock, taking the opening leg with a 150 checkout before surging into a 5-1 narrowed the game to 6-4 at the second break only for Van Gerwen to move into a 9-6 lead and seemingly on the brink of Rock fought back again and the momentum to swung in his favour when a superb 152 checkout cut Van Gerwen's lead down to one, before winning the next two legs to take the lead for the first Gerwen needed a 138 checkout to stay in the game and make it 10-10, but Rock held his nerve in a tense tie break."I kept my emotions, I think, throughout the game. I don't know what was going on but I got into the game at the end," he told Sky Sports."One of the most dramatic, my heart was pumping throughout the whole game. The stress has finally gone. What a game."Gerwyn Price stormed into the quarter-finals with an 11-3 thrashing of England's Chris Dobey,Welshman Price, who was involved in an angry confrontation with Daryl Gurney in the previous round, averaged 108.7, hit eight 180s and had a 146 checkout in a dominant performance."It was fantastic. In the middle part of the game I felt like I couldn't miss," he told Sky Sports. "I put Chris under a lot of pressure. I think he still played pretty decent in patches."I think early on we were both flying and I was just pipping him on a couple of legs, probably disheartened him a little bit. It's a good game for me."Andrew Gilding set up a meeting with Littler after the former UK Open champion beat Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode 11-5 to reach the last eight of the World Matchplay for the second successive year.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store