Sheffield United fans will welcome back a familiar face to the club as Chris Wilder returns to the Bramall Lane dugout in the immediate aftermath of Paul Heckingbottom’s sacking. Wilder, who is also a former Blades player, has agreed an 18-month deal to return to the managerial hot seat with the hopes of saving Sheffield United from the prospect of relegation to the second tier of English football.
The 56-year-old is a huge fan favourite from his last spell at the club which ran from 2016 to 2021. During those five years he is credited with leading Sheffield United to two promotions in three seasons as the club climbed from League One into the Premier League.
Wilder also spearheaded the club to a ninth place finish on their return to the top-flight, which was the club’s highest place since 1991/92, a year before the inaugural Premier League season. Both Wilder and the Blades have had mixed fortunes since his departure in March 2021, but does he have what it takes to reignite the spark at Bramall Lane or will his decision to return be a misjudgement?
Here we examine the record of other Premier League managers who have had multiple spells at the same club and whether they were a roaring success or a failure.
9. Kevin Keegan: Newcastle United (1992-1997) (2008)
Kevin Keegan's Newcastle were dubbed 'the entertainers' during his first spell at the club as they won promotion and regularly competed for the Premier League title. Keegan steered the Magpies away from relegation in 2007/08 but resigned for a second time in September after clashing with former owner Mike Ashley. (Getty Images) | Getty Images
10. Ron Atkinson: Sheffield Wednesday (1989-1991),(1997-1998)
Ron Atkinson led the Owls to promotion and a League Cup triumph in the same year. Six years on from his exit, he returned to guide Sheffield Wednesday to safety after a poor start in the Premier League in 1997/98. (Getty Images) | Getty Images
11. Howard Kendall: Everton (1981-87),(1990-93), (1997-98)
Howard Kendall had two separate spells in charge of Everton during the Premier League era but he is best remembered by fans for his first spell with the club in the First Division from 1981 to 1987 as his team lifted lifting the First Division title twice and the FA Cup once. Kendall returned to Merseyside three years later in November 1990 and successfully steered the team away from a relegation battle in his first few months. The Blues icon returned for a third and final time in the 1997/98 campaign as Everton retained their Premier League status on goal difference. (Getty Images) | Getty Images
12. Steve Coppell: Crystal Palace (1984-93), (1995-96) (1997-98), (1999-2000)
Steve Coppell has remarkably had four different spells as manager of Crystal Palace, with two of those coming in the Premier League. Coppell first joined Crystal Palace in 1984 as he enjoyed a successful nine-year stint in charge as the club won promotion and reached an FA Cup final. He lost the Championship play-off final in his second spell in charge. Returned a few months later and won promotion in his third stint at the club. After his relegation in 1998, he returned one final time in 1999 as the club struggled in the second tier. (Getty Images) | Getty Images