CHRIS WILDER has signed a new four-and-a-half year contract at Sheffield United.
The 52-year-old has made himself a legend at his boyhood club, guiding them from League One to the Premier League.
Chris Wilder has committed his future to Sheffield United, signing a contract until 2024Credit: PA:Press Association
The Blades are currently performing above all pundits’ expectations on their top flight return this season, sitting eighth in the Premier League after 21 games.
He has won 83 league matches since his appointment in 2016, only Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have won more in England’s top four tiers in that time.
Wilder told United’s official website: “Naturally, I’m delighted to sign a new deal until 2024 and commit to the club that is close to my heart.
“I am grateful to Prince Abdullah for taking the initiative and offering this contract, we’ve had a great few years and hopefully we can continue the upward curve – let’s see how far we can go on this journey.”
And Prince Abdullah himself added: “Chris has played an integral role in our recent and current success and we want him at the helm in the future, driving us forward, hence the new long-term contract.
“He is a dynamic leader, with whom the supporters connect and it is important that we have someone of his stature leading this club on the field.
“January is a very important month but securing the signature of Chris was paramount and underpins all the plans we have for the club over the next few years.”
Prior to Wilder’s appointment, the Blades had been languishing in League One for five years.
But the Stocksbridge-born local hero completely galvanised the club, winning the league with 100 points in his first season.
A year of stability followed in the Championship, finishing tenth in the process, before winning another promotion last season.
Wilder has worked his way up the pyramid from non-league, winning promotions with Alfreton Town, Northampton Town and Oxford United, before landing the Sheffield United gig.
The Blades take on West Ham tonight, and with the news of their hero staying put, the atmosphere is likely to be electric.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
