'A lot to offer' - Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder makes admission about his future as a manager
Sheffield United chief Chris Wilder has every intention of continuing to learn and improve as a manager.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has highlighted the importance of him continuing to move with the times and maintaining his development as a manager.
After being very harshly sacked by the Blades last June, Wilder found himself back at Bramall Lane as soon as September, replacing the man who had replaced him, Rubén Sellés.
The Spaniard, who was sacked by Real Zaragoza earlier this week, lost each of his six games in charge in S2, meaning the United hierarchy was forced to atone for their summer mistake by sacking the former Hull City boss and reappointing Wilder.
Fortunately, it is a decision that has worked out well for the Blades, who are still in with a shout of securing a top six finish despite a disastrous start to the campaign. They are currently nine points shy of the final play-off berth with 11 games remaining.
Despite slight bumps in the road against the Championship’s top two recently, being beaten by Middlesbrough and Coventry City, the Blades have won five of their last eight games, showing clear signs of progression.
Winning all of their 48 points this season under Wilder, the boyhood Blade has demonstrated he remains one of the very best managers in the Championship.
Wilder wants to continue improving
Although a younger wave of coaches are coming into England’s second tier, Wilder still has something they don’t: experience. He is the joint-oldest manager in the division alongside Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson, who is also 58.
Nevertheless, such is the way the game is continuing to evolve, Wilder has stressed the importance of him moving with the times, outlining his ambition to continue learning as he gets older.
“You get a little bit frustrated at times,” said Wilder, as quoted by the Yorkshire Post. “We played Coventry City last week and I like to think tactically we were okay. Out of possession we stopped them playing and in possession we played.
“We don't survive in this business without evolving, moving forward and learning in the job. When you see what's happened at West Brom, where they appointed a young manager (Ryan Mason), then another young manager (Eric Ramsay), maybe West Brom fans will be a little bit frustrated.
“I know more about the game than I've ever done but it’s important I'm willing to open that up, listen and work with people, which I have done.
“The best in the business (Sir Alex Ferguson) was still working away at 70 and winning Premier League titles. I'm not at that level but I still feel I've got a lot to offer in the back end of my career.”