Latest news with #ChrisWilder
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Will Blades live long and prosper?
It's Sheffield United, Jim, but not as we know red and white half of the Steel City is set for a fascinating 43 days between now and kick-off in the new Championship the Blades face Bristol City at Bramall Lane on 9 August, a new chapter – heralded by the club's American owners – will begin in now the dust is beginning to settle on a seismic change for which tremors will undoubtedly be felt for weeks, months and years to been a busy and dramatic six months since COH Sports acquired Sheffield United. Chris Wilder was quickly given a new three-and-a-half-year contract. United claimed a club record 92 points but missed out on automatic promotion in the final few games. They then lost the Championship play-off final having led with 15 minutes to go before Wilder eventually departed by mutual consent, being replaced by Spaniard Ruben decision has split the Blades fanbase, with social media exposing extreme opinions on both sides of the argument for and against fan and former player Wilder will always be a legendary figure at Bramall Lane. He achieved this status in his first spell when he took the club from League One obscurity to ninth in the Premier League, but he deserves more credit than he has received for his second spell, including last summer's rebuild in the wake of relegation from the top-flight, with a significant turnaround of players, and the protracted takeover which continued until late Wembley in May he stood on the brink of achieving something no other manager in the club's history had achieved: three promotions. It will always sting that he came so close for Wilder, his players and the club's a significant number of Blades fans took issue with performances last season and the club's style of play, while questioning the success of recruitment in January and the near £450,000 in fines paid over player and staff motivated the decision to act, the Blades board has acted, and in doing so, they have thrown their full weight behind former Hull City and Reading boss claim that he "can employ innovative recruitment and analytic strategies" is key - relating to the owners' eagerness to use data and artificial intelligence to "recruit the best and brightest talent", which is central to the intrigue about how the Blades squad will take shape under Selles, who says he will have the final say on many existing players will be able to deliver the intensity that the Spaniard demands? Will some Wilder regulars find themselves sidelined? Will data-driven arrivals be in the majority or minority, as opposed to "seen it, done it" Championship players?United's new board is seeking "sustainable success" and says "the road ahead may require patience", but having come so close to a Premier League return last season, patience may be in short supply if the Blades aren't in the mix for automatic promotion from an early a brave new enterprise at Bramall Lane, with Selles tasked to boldly go and establish the Blades as a regular top-flight club.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Club REIGNITE interest in Liverpool forward
Sheffield United want Koumas The 19-year-old spent the campaign at Stoke City, playing under three different managers during a difficult spell for the club. The Welshman managed 49 appearances for the Potters in all - scoring six goals and adding three assists. Advertisement But the forward's future is very much up for discussion with a new report in the Daily Mail now suggesting that Sheffield United have moved into the frame for his signature. In an item concerning the Blades' interest in Owen Beck, it's been revealed that Koumas is also wanted. Koumas previously of interest to Sheffield United United finished third in the Championship last season, missing out on promotion after losing in the playoff final to Sunderland. The club have just announced Ruben Selles as their new manager, replacing Chris Wilder. Koumas was previously linked with Sheffield United in Wilder's days - with the manager's long-term assistant Alan Knill possessing insider knowledge on both Koumas and fellow Welshman Beck. He was on the staff of Rob Page in the Wales national team - and having worked with both players he recommended them to Wilder. Page, of course, is now Liverpool's under-21 manager, having made a surprise decision to join earlier this week.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Championship 2025/26 fixtures, dates, how to watch & more
It's only been over a month since Sunderland stunned Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final to end their eight-year exile from the Premier League. The Blades were looking for a swift return to the top flight after a dismal 2023/24 campaign. But they ultimately fell short at the final hurdle, losing 2-1 despite drawing first blood. Advertisement They'll be hoping they're second-time lucky, and a fast start to the season could set the tone for a successful campaign. Luckily for Chris Wilder's side, they'll kick off the Championship campaign with a rematch against Bristol City, having faced The Robins in last season's play-off semi-finals. United wiped the floor with Liam Manning's side, winning 6-0 on aggregate to advance to the final and will be looking to repeat that feat despite Bristol's managerial change. United's game against Bristol is one of many in a bumper opening weekend fixture schedule. Relegated Ipswich Town will get the ball rolling on Friday, August 8, with a trip to St. Andrew's, where they will face Championship newcomers Birmingham City. Advertisement The Blues won the League One title with an EFL record 111 points, while Kieran McKenna's Tractor Boys were relegated from the Premier League in their first top-flight campaign in over two decades. Southampton, who were relegated from the Premier League alongside Ipswich, will kick off Saturday's round of action at home to League One runners-up Wrexham. Leicester City aren't in action until Sunday, August 10, when they welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the King Power Stadium. As the new season draws closer, all eyes will be on Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton, who will be determined to bounce straight back to the Premier League. Advertisement Leicester pulled it off in 2023/24 when they steamrolled their way to the top flight with an impressive 97 points, while Southampton joined them after a dramatic play-off final win against Leeds United. But the spotlight won't just be on the relegated trio. Wrexham will also be a major talking point. Backed by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Red Dragons have enjoyed a Hollywood-inspired rise to the English second tier and will fancy their chances of making it four promotions in a row this season. Their curtain-raiser against Southampton will be a strong test of their Championship credentials, but they'll still have to navigate upcoming fixtures against West Bromwich Albion, Wednesday, and Millwall. First round of Championship fixtures Friday, August 8 Birmingham City v Ipswich Town Advertisement Saturday, August 9 Charlton Athletic v Watford Coventry City v Hull City Middlesbrough v Swansea City Norwich City v Millwall Oxford United v Portsmouth Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End Sheffield United v Bristol City Southampton v Wrexham Stoke City v Derby County West Bromwich Albion v Blackburn Rovers Sunday, August 10 Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday How to access the full Championship fixture schedule? The full 2025/26 Championship fixture schedule is available at the EFL Match Centre. You can also find League One and League Two fixtures there. How to watch? Every single EFL game across the opening weekend in the Championship, League One and League Two will be available to watch on Sky Sports and Sky Sports+ in the UK. The latter will cover over 1,000 games from 1,891 matches across the EFL, Carabao Cup, and Vertu Trophy live throughout the season. You can also check our Championship live streaming section for more options on how to catch all the action from the upcoming campaign. Key EFL dates 2025/26 EFL opening weekends League One and League Two: Friday, August 1 – Sunday, August 3 Championship: Friday, August 8 – Sunday, August 10 Advertisement Final games of the regular season Weekend of May 2/3, 2026 Play-off finals
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
First-team coach Lester departs Sheff Utd
First-team coach Jack Lester is to leave Sheffield United after a mutual agreement was agreed between him and the striker Lester returned to Bramall Lane in 2019 to head up the club's was then appointed to first-team coach two years later under Paul Heckingbottom and maintained that role with Chris Wilder, who was dismissed last as Lester leaves, it has been confirmed that Matt Duke and Micky Collins, other members of Wilder's backroom team will work with new head coach Ruben Selles.
Daily Tribune
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Wilder sacked by Sheffield United after play-off failure
Chris Wilder was sacked as Sheffield United manager after the club's failure to win promotion to the Premier League. Wilder paid the price for United's agonising Championship play-off final loss against Sunderland last season. United finished third in the Championship and beat Bristol City in the play-off semi-finals before blowing the lead in a 2-1 defeat by Sunderland, who scored a stoppage-time winner through Tommy Watson at Wembley. Wilder leaves Bramall Lane for the second time after a previous succesful spell in charge of his boyhood team ended in 2021. The 57-year-old, who led the Blades into the Premier League in 2019, returned in December 2023 after Paul Heckingbottom was sacked with the club bottom of the top flight. 'A Blade through and through, the legacy Chris and his staff have created here will never be forgotten, going right back to 2016 when he initially took the job with the club rooted in League One,' a club statement said.
