Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily Podcast, Alan Shearer has given his verdict on Chris Wilder’s reported departure from Sheffield United.
The Blades boss has reportedly left the club after years of success, and as you can imagine, Wilder leaving Bramall Lane has sparked a lot of discussion.
The gaffer had taken the Blades from League One to the Premier League, and Shearer believes that he should have been given the chance to bring them back up from the Championship after what is seemingly an inevitable relegation.
“I should say I’m very surprised, but I’m not in football, despite the incredible job that Chris has done over the years,” Shearer said.
“I know they’ve had a disappointing season and I know they’re about to be relegated, but after what he’s achieved in dragging them up to the Premier League and doing what they did last season, and I think if anything, he should’ve been given the opportunity to bring that club back up.”
Shearer was later asked what he thinks Wilder will be feeling right now, to which he replied:
“Well I think he’ll be feeling all sorts of emotion. He’ll be feeling proud of what he’s achieved, it’s a club that he loves and I know that the fans respect and him and appreciate what he is and what he’s done for that particular football club. Despite their position and what’s happened this season, he can leave with his head held high.”
Shearer obviously knows what Wilder is going through, having led his boyhood club Newcastle United to relegation back in 2009.
You’d probably be hard-pressed to find a single United supporter who disagrees with Shearer’s view about Wilder deserving the chance to bring them straight back up, but it seems as though that now won’t be the case.
Wilder will undoubtedly go down as a Blades legend, regardless of how his time at the club has come to an end.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
