What Chris Wilder said about Billy Sharp Sheffield United return possibility after co-owner’s tease over Lane icon’s future
What Chris Wilder said about Billy Sharp Sheffield United return possibility after co-owner’s tease over Lane icon’s future
When he grabbed the microphone to address Sheffield United supporters directly for the first time since taking charge of their club back in December 2024, co-owner Steven Rosen spoke about his respect for Chris Wilder and the process of bringing him back to Bramall Lane in September.
He touched briefly on Ruben Selles, describing him as “not the right man for now” and admitted to making “mistakes” since assuming control of the club. But there was another interesting hint dropped right at the start of his fan zone address, regarding former striker Billy Sharp.
The United icon, who turned 40 earlier this month, is still in the goals just down the road at Doncaster Rovers but has made no mistake of his desire to return to his boyhood club in the future in some capacity - maybe even as the main man in the home dugout.
He openly acknowledges he has some way to go before he gets to that point but he has already taken the formative steps, completing his coaching badges and beginning his LMA managers’ diploma alongside his commitments at Rovers.
On the same stage as Rosen just four days earlier, in the United fan zone ahead of the Sheffield derby, Sharp reflected on his past but also spoke about his future. Rosen teased a potential return to United as a coach, adding intriguingly: “We’ll put it on the to-do list.”
What Chris Wilder said about Billy Sharp Sheffield United return possibility after co-owner’s tease over Lane icon’s future
It was unclear whether it is a genuine possibility or a comment designed to please the assembled Blades fans but it is something Sharp would like to do in the future - and a possibility that current Lane boss Chris Wilder seems open to, as well.
“I'm a fan of ex-players being around the football club,” he said, ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Queens Park Rangers. “Whether they're working full-time in the academy, whether they're on matchdays.
“TC [Tony Currie] floating about the pace is magical. I had a pint with Bradders [Carl Bradshaw] and Wayne Quinn on Sunday. Jamie Hoyland's here [as United’s chief scout] and Mitch Ward's around as well. I get calls and texts all the time off old players, Paul Beesley and Tony Agana and Alan Kelly.
“And I’ll have missed a load of others, too. They love the football club. Sharpy was at the game on Sunday, which was great for everybody. Bashy [Chris Basham], Paul Coutts, Mark Duffy. All of them, they loved their time here and I think it's really important that we surround our football club with iconic players.
“Players who know what it's like to play for the football club, who have felt it. Who have worn the shirt with pride and have won games, and have lost games as well. I understand, from speaking to Bill, that he'll want to stay in the game.
“I'm sure he's got a lot to offer still [as a player] and he'll have a lot to offer in the future obviously. His career has been fabulous and it's obviously one of the hardest positions to play. So any work that he gives out going forward, or advice to anybody, he's top drawer.”