Billy Sharp reveals Sheffield United future return plans, Chris Wilder inspiration

Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp has opened up on his plans to return to Bramall Lane one day in a coaching capacity, after signalling his intention to emulate former manager Chris Wilder’s remarkable career path to the Blades dugout.

Sharp is inspired by Wilder’s journey from a ball-boy and Blades fan to player and then legendary manager, leading United to two promotions in the space of three years during a fairytale rise from League One to the Premier League. Sharp played a key role, in the dressing room and on the pitch, as Wilder’s captain and has laid the groundwork for an eventual transition into coaching by passing his UEFA A Licence qualification.

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At 37, Sharp still believes he has many more goals to score before hanging up his boots and believed he could have played a part for his boyhood club in the Premier League next season after promotion. But his long association with United came to an end recently when his contract officially expired, and he expects to reveal the next destination in his career this month.

Beyond then, an ambition to become a manager - despite question marks from those closest to him, including his wife Jade - burns deep. And specifically, Sharp freely admits, at Bramall Lane. “I want to be the Sheffield United manager,” he told The Star. “Obviously not anytime soon, but one day. I’ve seen the likes of Chris Wilder, Heckingbottom, Warnock, Dave Bassett, who’ve all had success at the club.

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“My wife and a few friends think: ‘Why would you risk it?’ But I’ve never feared or been scared of failure. When the time is right to hopefully get the job one day, I’d be ready and confident that it would go well. It’s something I want to do.

“Chris Wilder has done it, played and managed and got promotions, so when I did go into that he’d be someone I looked up to, to try and reach the targets he has. Hecky’s got his own records now, and there’s always something to try and achieve or go for. And maybe one day it could be me. No-one can take away what I’ve done as a player. It’s not a case of thinking: ‘If I went there and didn’t do a great job, it means I’m a poor player.’ It’s not going to happen. So one day. I’m going to be a manager ... so why not there?”

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Sharp has hit the heights as a player, starring - and scoring - for his boyhood club in the Premier League, but has gone right back to his roots to kickstart what he hopes will be a successful coaching career. An academy bearing his name is thriving in Sheffield and Sharp takes charge of his sons, Milo and Leo, and their respective teams at Brunsmeer JFC on midweek evenings. Last month, both Sharp juniors lifted silverware at the milestone 10th instalment of the annual LJS Cup, hosted every year at their dad’s boyhood club Middlewood Rovers in honour of their late brother, Luey Jacob.

“It’s nice to be sat in a nice changing room instead of a portakabin,” Sharp smiled at the memory of playing similar tournament as a youngster in less plush surroundings than Middlewood’s excellent new clubhouse. “It’s been run really well, as it always is, and everyone does a great job for us every year.

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“The 10th year has run really smoothly and the weather was kind too, so you can’t complain. When I was a kid I used to play in tournaments, play loads of games and get an ice cream and a bouncy castle ride in between. It was great, and it’s great to see so many kids enjoying it now.

“I watched my eldest play in the tournament before but gradually got more involved. Now and I take the under-eights for an hour on Thursdays and my eldest later. It’s challenging at times, with the two age groups, but I love it. It gives me a lot of joy and pride to be able to help them and it’s great to see them do so well.

“It’s great to see them both get wins this weekend too. It’s a challenge, don’t get me wrong, but a good one. They’re doing really well and smiling and playing football, so it’s good to see.”

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Sharp’s coaching ambitions really intensified after he was handed the United captain’s armband by Wilder, in one of his first acts after returning to Bramall Lane back in 2016. “I remember to this day Chris taking me around the stadium, chatting to me about what he wanted from me and why,” Sharp remembered.

“The club was in a little bit of turmoil at the minute in League One and I think it gave the fans a lift and the dressing room a lift. To get three promotions in seven or eight years, two to the Premier League, will always bring back good memories and it was always a privilege to wear the armband. And the No.10 shirt, which hopefully Iliman [Ndiaye] takes and wears with pride as well.

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“I want to be a manager, when I’m ready. Obviously grassroots at this age is not what I want to do, but I love doing it and seeing them progress. It’s given me a little bit of experience but as they get older it’s about learning the different rules and offsides and stuff. It’s about enjoying and expressing themselves. But when I do hang my boots up, whenever that is, I want to go into management. I’ve done all my badges and when the time’s right, I’ll go into it.”

But not just yet. There are shedloads more goals to score for now.

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