Sheffield United co-owner finally breaks silence with ”mistakes” admission, Billy Sharp return tease
Sheffield United co-owner finally breaks silence to Blades fans with Chris Wilder admission, Billy Sharp return tease
Four hundred and 29 days after his COH Sports group eventually completed their acquisition of Sheffield United after a complex and drawn-out takeover process, Unitedites finally got to hear the voice of co-owner Steven Rosen ahead of last night's Championship clash with Coventry City. The Ohio-based businessman has kept a low public profile since buying the Blades.
The only communication from Rosen, co-owner Helmy Eltoukhy and other members of the COH group has come via statements issued by their public relations company, with frequent requests for interviews from local media either ignored or declined.
Instead chief executive Stephen Bettis has become COH's de-facto spokesperson, although that has not diluted the desire from supporters to hear from the co-owners and have them subjected to proper scrutiny over some of the decisions they have made since taking over just before Christmas in 2024.
Amongst those are the decision to effectively hand control of United's recruitment policy to self-styled data guru James Bord, with millions subsequently wasted in the transfer market before Bord instead switched his attentions to buying city rivals Wednesday in a move that ultimately collapsed earlier this week.
COH also took the disastrous decision to sack Chris Wilder in the summer and replace him with Ruben Selles, before reversing that call just months later. They deserve, and have received, credit for admitting their mistake, but the naivety behind making it in the first place is causing understandable concern amongst Unitedites.
Sheffield United co-owner finally breaks silence to Blades fans with ”mistakes” admission, Billy Sharp return tease
A group of fans were able to hear Rosen's voice for the first time in the Fan Zone ahead of last night's defeat to Coventry City, with Rosen addressing them directly from the stage after making a rare visit to Bramall Lane to take in a game.
His first move was to tease a return of legendary striker Billy Sharp in a coaching capacity, saying: "We'll put that on the to-do list." With no follow-up, it is unclear whether it is a genuine possibility or a tongue-in-cheek, crowd-pleasing comment.
Here is every other word Rosen said, as captured by the When Saturdays Come YouTube channel...
“On behalf of the 477 individuals that work in and around this building, thank you for coming out tonight. Stephen Bettis, our CEO, does an amazing job. And manager Chris Wilder, Tim Ryan, representing the special committee is here.
My partner Helmy couldn't be here tonight. He's doing wonderful things in the field of cancer research. We thank you for coming out. So, I've been asked to speak many, many times over the past year. Journalists, podcasters, media.
And it's not important for me to talk to them. What's important is for me to speak to you. So, if I'm going to speak, and I rarely have anything meaningful to say, it's going to be to you. And our youngest, our very youngest supporters.
The future of our city, the future of the Blades, are young people like this. What I do have to say tonight is compliment Chris Wilder. So, as we know, as you go through life, sometimes you don't appreciate something until it's gone. It could be a spouse. It could be a mate.
It could be just about anything. And when it's gone, you really feel badly that it's gone, and you know how special they were to you. And often you can't bring that person back. So, there's a saying that goes: ‘To make a mistake is human. It's what you do next to make it right that matters.’ And hopefully that's how you remember me.
I called Chris up early September to ask for his advice. Because, as you all know, it was not going well. So, on September 8, Chris flew over to Cleveland, Ohio. Has anyone been to Cleveland, Ohio? Okay. It's just like this. Just like this.
Sports are important in Cleveland. The climate is about the same. And if you believe it, probably worse. And he came over. We had a pint. We had a round of golf, a dinner. And I realised he was the right person. And thankfully, he agreed to come back.
Ruben Selles is a good man. He wasn't the right man for now. So, I feel that way. So, we have 45 points. Maybe we should have 50 points. Maybe 55 points. Maybe 60 points. We seem to get a lot of red cards. We've had quite a few injuries.
We made a few mistakes in the beginning of the season. That's our responsibility. That's on us. The red cards, I just wish they weren't red cards. But, anyway, red cards are part of the game. Now, what can we do from here?
What can you do from here? Cheer these players on. From start to finish. Stay to the end of the game. Wait for them. It means a lot to the players. It really, really does. Thank you for coming out tonight. Very much appreciate your loyalty and support. And, go Blades!”