Sheffield Wednesday set for next big hire as ex-Man City man moves past shortlist

Sheffield Wednesday are close to appointing outgoing Stockport County main man Simon Wilson as their sporting director, The Star understands.

The new Owls hierarchy moved quickly to make David Bruce their CEO, with the former Sunderland man now in situ at Hillsborough having been unveiled along with the club’s new owners last weekend. Chairman David Storch and his US consortium were known throughout the last weeks to be narrowing down their shortlist on who the club’s sporting director would be.

That they have now done, with Wilson pinpointed as the man they wished to take forward late last week. Though the deal is not signed and sealed, the 43-year-old is believed to have spent some time in Sheffield today getting to know key figures at S6 and is understood to have agreed the outline terms of a deal as he prepares to take on the management of the football side of the club.

The Star reported earlier this week that Wednesday were close to bringing in a new man to fill the sporting director role, which was controversially not utilised during Dejphon Chansiri’s time as chairman. Portsmouth sporting director Rich Hughes was a consideration but did not get the nod from Wednesday’s new owners Arise Capital Partners, who were known to be keen to bring in a figure with knowledge of League One and a track record of promotions. Other considerations were made.

Since January last year Wilson held the dual roles of sporting director and CEO during his time with Stockport, having initially joined in the sporting director role in July 2019. His time there has been hugely successful and saw him help guide the club from their status as a side newly-promoted from the National League North to the cusp on the Championship.

His Hatters won both the National League and League Two in his time there and finished third in this season’s League One table. They hold a 1-0 advantage in their play-off semi-final match-up with Stevenage heading into tomorrow’s second leg clash at Edgeley Park. Having cut his teeth at Southampton, he spent his formative years working across a number of roles in the City Football Group, primarily with Manchester City. He also held the role of director of football for a short time at Sunderland. He has also done consultancy work with UEFA and Ajax.

Wilson’s exit from Stockport was announced at the end of April after a long-scheduled six-year review of his position with Hatters owner Mark Stott. He leaves the club by mutual consent and on excellent terms, with Stott saying in a departure statement: “It’s on record that I would not have bought the club if I hadn’t met Simon, and it’s clear how much progress has been made over the past six years.

“When we wrote the plan, we said we would see where we are after the sixth season. We both feel the major work has been done in setting the club up, and the next decade will be about capitalising on that.

“Simon felt that it might be the right time to step back from his day-to-day role to allow others to step up, and while I did ask him to consider staying, I am happy about where we have got to. He’s played a huge role in getting the club to where it is today, and I’m pleased he will continue to support me through Stott Capital and by mentoring key people within my investments.”