Wilder supported and is now managing Sheffield Wednesday’s city rivals, Sheffield United
Wilder supported and is now managing Sheffield Wednesday’s city rivals, Sheffield United
Supporters don’t always make for good managers, but Chris Wilder and Sheffield United are proof they sometimes do.
United’s swift ascent to the Championship’s top two [ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures], thanks in part to Sunday’s derby win against Sheffield Wednesday, has got some Owls followers wondering if they should ditch theirs in favour of one with stronger links to the club.
Considering what Wilder achieved at Oxford United and Northampton Town beforehand, putting his most recent achievements down to allegiance alone is doing him some disservice.
But if Wednesday did opt to go down that path, should Carlos Carvalhal’s Hillsborough career come to an end in the near future, there is one standout candidate to replace him.
Like Wilder, Paul Hurst began his managerial career outside of the Football League, and had to engineer his own opportunity in England’s top four divisions – guiding Grimsby Town up via the National League play-offs 18 months ago.
Like Wilder, Hurst is also on course to reach the Championship in his first full League One campaign, after moving to – and subsequently keeping up – Shrewsbury Town last term.
Despite spending his entire career on Rotherham’s books, Sheffield-born boss is very much a Wednesday supporter, as reported by the Star last year.
Whether he’d make for a good Owls manager, however, well there’s only one way to find out.
Should Sheffield Wednesday try to replicate United’s success with Wilder?
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