Trust, not transfers, was the big issue that caused Sheffield United and Chris Wilder to part company

Yes, there were clearly huge differences of opinion about transfer policy and recruitment strategy.
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It became obvious, watching Sheffield United owner HRH Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud fix his guns on Chris Wilder that the two men had divergent ideas on how the football club should be run. Particularly on the subject of how new players should be sourced and where exactly from.

But following the Saudi Arabian’s interview with a Premier League rights-holder today, in which he claimed Wilder wanted £4m in return for his resignation soon after Christmas, it is impossible not to reach the conclusion that the biggest factor behind the 53-year-old’s departure earlier this month was actually personality. To put it bluntly, the two men simply could not get along.

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“Something was broken,” Prince Abdullah said. “Maybe trust was broken.”

H.H. Prince Musa'ad bin Khalid bin Musa'ad Al Sa'ud, (l) manager Chris Wilder and H.R.H Prince Abdullah bin Mosa'ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud: Simon Bellis/SportimageH.H. Prince Musa'ad bin Khalid bin Musa'ad Al Sa'ud, (l) manager Chris Wilder and H.R.H Prince Abdullah bin Mosa'ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
H.H. Prince Musa'ad bin Khalid bin Musa'ad Al Sa'ud, (l) manager Chris Wilder and H.R.H Prince Abdullah bin Mosa'ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

That, pretty much, nailed the issue on the head.

Tensions between owners, directors and managers are commonplace in football; a ruthless, brutal business full of self-interest. So why were United, who announced Wilder’s exit a fortnight ago, unable to do what many other teams do and find a way of addressing the trouble which had been brewing behind the scenes for the best part of a year?

Prince Abdullah was clearly angered by the 53-year-old’s comments about the calibre of his squad, especially after committing to around £115m in purchase fees since assuming sole control. He also explicitly criticised what the board perceived as Wilder’s preference for focusing on the British market; a tactic the former Northampton Town and Oxford chief felt limited risk, although he was not averse to trawling overseas waters in the search for fresh blood.

Suggesting that Wilder had refused to sign a target identified by his own advisors and who has gone on to have “a great season in Germany”, Prince Abdullah let it be known he felt people in the boot room had no interest in working with the board. Yet, when Sander Berge was proposed as a potential acquisition by Jan van Winckel 14 months ago, Wilder was happy to put his name to the deal. Which suggests, at that moment in time, there was a degree of cooperation between the two departments.

Sander Berge proved Chris Wilder and Prince Abdullah could cooperate: Andrew Yates/SportimageSander Berge proved Chris Wilder and Prince Abdullah could cooperate: Andrew Yates/Sportimage
Sander Berge proved Chris Wilder and Prince Abdullah could cooperate: Andrew Yates/Sportimage

So what changed?

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The Star has been told, by independent sources with an insight into United’s internal politics, that the relationship between Wilder and Prince Abdullah’s inner circle began to deteriorate over the Autumn, when both parties took exception to the content, but particularly the tone, of a series of emails designed to try and find some middle ground. Results didn’t help alleviate the tension, as United spiralled towards relegation despite finishing ninth last term. But before December’s visit to Southampton, Prince Abdullah stated he had no intention of parting company with Wilder even if United went down.

This is when the first obvious cracks in their partnership emerged. Although a 3-0 defeat undoubtedly soured his mood, Wilder refused all invitations to discuss the vote of confidence. Either in public or private. One suspects he felt it was a manoeuvre designed to back him into a corner, before Prince Abdullah said he first offered to leave four weeks later.

The truth of what was actually behind Wilder’s exit probably lies somewhere in between. But trust seems to have been the central issue.

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