Chris Wilder

Christopher John Wilder was born on 23 September 1967 in Stocksbridge, West Riding of Yorkshire (now South Yorkshire).

Wilder started his football career as a trainee at Southampton and was released without making it into the first team.{{cite book| title=In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC |last1= Holley |first1= Duncan |last2= Chalk |first2= Gary | publisher=Hagiology Publishing | year=2003 | isbn=978-0-9534474-3-5|page=615}}

He moved on to Sheffield United in August 1986. In December 1987, defender Wilder was sent off for a crude tackle on Millwall's Jimmy Carter in a season which saw the Sheffield club relegated to the third division.Millwall advance their Christmas goal rush, The Times, 29 December 1987 The following season Wilder was on the receiving end, being elbowed in the face. Swansea's Bryan Wade received a three match ban for violent conduct as a result.Taylor, Louise. Clubs face fines for sending weakened sides to tournament, The Times, 13 December 1988 Wilder was a regular in the team that finished second and therefore clinched promotion back to the second division at the first attempt in the 1988–89 season, and was also part of the squad that gained a further promotion the season after, this time back to the first division, after an absence of fourteen years. Wilder was a regular during the following season back in the first division, but thereafter found appearances harder to come by, hence Wilder left for nearby Rotherham United in 1992, staying for a further four years and amassing his largest number of games and goals for one club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=8503|title=Chris Wilder | Football Stats | No Club | Age 54 | 1985-2001 | Soccer Base}}

In 1998, Wilder returned to Sheffield United, and a year later he was brought to Brighton & Hove Albion by Micky Adams before joining Halifax Town that same year.{{ENFA}}

Wilder began his career in management at Alfreton Town. He took over at the club in late October 2001 and in the 27 weeks he was in charge won four trophies: the Northern Counties (East) League Premier Division, the League Cup, the President's Cup and the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

Wilder returned to Halifax Town as manager on 2 July 2002.{{cite news |title=Wilder quits for Halifax |url=http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/wilder-quits-for-halifax-1-470718 |newspaper=Derbyshire Times |date=4 July 2002 |access-date=22 January 2016}}{{cite web|title = Alfreton Town Football Club History|url = http://www.alfretontownfc.com/history0405.htm|publisher = Alfreton Town F.C.|access-date = 9 June 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100611220932/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/history0405.htm|archive-date = 11 June 2010|url-status = dead}} He replaced caretaker manager Neil Redfearn, who had in turn replaced Alan Little (who left on 8 April after falling ill with appendicitis in March). Halifax had been relegated to the Conference at the end of the season.

Wilder was in charge at Halifax for more than 300 games until the club went into liquidation on 30 June 2008, and he decided to join former Halifax defender Alan Knill, as the assistant manager of Bury.{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bury/7481362.stm |title=Wilder leaves Halifax for Shakers |date=30 June 2008 |access-date= 1 July 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport}}

After fewer than six months at Gigg Lane, Wilder was appointed as the manager of Conference National club Oxford United on 21 December 2008{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oxford_utd/7790788.stm |title=Wilder is new Oxford United boss |date=21 December 2008 |access-date=21 December 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport}} (replacing Jim Smith who had been caretaker manager in the wake of Darren Patterson's dismissal), where he only just missed out on a play-off place in his first season. Wilder's first full season in charge of Oxford began successfully and by mid-season they were top of the Conference table by five points with a game in hand. However, Oxford were overtaken by Stevenage, who would go on to win the title and take the automatic promotion place, consigning the Us to the playoffs with Luton Town, Rushden & Diamonds and York City. They defeated Rushden & Diamonds to reach the play-off final, and gained promotion to the Football League by beating York City 3–1.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8673190.stm |title=Oxford United 3–1 York City |date=16 May 2010 |access-date=22 July 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport}}

In their first season back in the Football League in four years, Wilder guided Oxford to mid-table safety. The team finished 12th, in the top half of the table, their highest finish in seven years.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13247258.stm|title=Shrewsbury 3–0 Oxford Utd |date=8 May 2011 |access-date=8 May 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}} The next season Oxford finished ninth, after poor form late in the season led to the team dropping out of the play-off position they had occupied for most of the year.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17878372|title=Port Vale 3–0 Oxford Utd |date=5 May 2012 |access-date=13 May 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}} Oxford's chairman Kelvin Thomas gave Wilder his backing, meaning he would remain manager for the 2012–13 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/oxfordunited/usnews/9702450.Thomas_pinning_faith_in_Oxford_United_boss_Wilder/ |title=Thomas pinning faith in Oxford United boss Wilder |date=12 May 2012 |access-date=4 October 2018 |work=Oxford Mail}} Despite failing to achieve a play-off place again in Oxford's third season back in the League, and intense speculation about his future at the club, Wilder was offered and accepted a further one-year contract for the 2013–14 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22292993 |title=Chris Wilder signs new Oxford United deal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 April 2013 |access-date=25 April 2013}}

On 26 January 2014 he resigned as Oxford manager with the intention of joining League Two rivals Northampton Town as their manager.{{cite news |title=Oxford United accept manager Chris Wilder's resignation |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25878977 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 January 2014 |access-date=22 January 2016}}

On 27 January 2014, Wilder was appointed manager of Northampton Town, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract. Wilder successfully battled against relegation to the Conference, after taking over the club in the relegation zone in League 2.{{cite web|title = Chris Wilder appointed new manager |url=http://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/article/wilder-appointed-1318363.aspx |publisher=Northampton Town F.C. |access-date=27 January 2014}} He led the side to a mid-table finish in the 2014–15 season, and then to the League Two title the following season with 99 points,{{cite web|title=Northampton Town FC History|url=http://www.ntfc.co.uk/club/history/|publisher=Northampton Town F.C.|access-date=15 January 2017}} despite significant financial difficulties at the club resulting in players and staff not being paid during October and November 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35000760|title=Northampton Town players and staff paid after Thomas takeover |publisher= BBC Sport|date=3 December 2015|access-date=12 January 2020}}

On 12 May 2016, Wilder joined his boyhood club Sheffield United as their new manager on a three-year contract, following the parting of company with Nigel Adkins.{{cite web|title=Blades appoint Wilder as new manager|url=http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/sheffield-united-chris-wilder-3110596.aspx|publisher=Sheffield United F.C.|access-date=13 May 2016|date=12 May 2016}}{{cite news|title=Chris Wilder: Sheffield United appoint Northampton boss to replace Nigel Adkins|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36274419|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=15 May 2016|date=12 May 2016}} In the pre-season, despite little financial backing, he was able to bring some new players in, many of which were free transfers. He then made Sheffield born Billy Sharp club captain. However, Wilder's League One managerial debut got off to a poor start, only gaining a single point from the first four games, which left Sheffield United at the bottom of League One.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37067537|title=Millwall 2 v Sheffield Utd. 1 : Match Report|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=26 April 2019}} Despite this, the club pushed on and went on to become League One Champions, securing 100 points in the process, a club record.{{cite journal|last1=Kirkham|first1=Andrew|title=Up the Champions|journal=The Official Matchday Programme of Sheffield United F.C. Souvenir Special|date=30 April 2017|volume=v Chesterfield}}

His second season was full of highs and few lows. His managerial Championship debut against Brentford ended in a 1–0 win for Sheffield United.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40760770|title=Sheffield Utd. 1 v Brentford 0 : Match Report|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=26 April 2019}} Then in September 2017, United beat city rivals Sheffield Wednesday 4–2 at Hillsborough,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41297178|title=Sheffield Wednesday 2 v. Sheffield Utd. 4 : Match Report|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=26 April 2019}} a record for goals scored by United against Wednesday at Hillsborough. By the end of October, after beating local rivals Leeds United 2–1 at Elland Road, Sheffield United were top of the Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41689697|title=Leeds Utd. 1 v Sheffield Utd. 2 : Match Report|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=26 April 2019}}

On 28 April 2019, it was confirmed that Wilder had led the Blades to the Premier League following nearest rival Leeds' 1–1 draw at home.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11683/11706107/sheffield-united-promoted-to-the-premier-league|title=Sheffield United promoted to the Premier League|website=Sky Sports|language=en|access-date=28 April 2019}} This ensured his second promotion in just three years at the club. This achievement earned him the LMA Manager of the Year award.{{cite web |date=15 May 2019 |title=Boss scoops double |url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2019/may/wilder-lma-award/ |access-date=4 June 2019 |publisher=Sheffield United FC}}

In July 2019, Wilder signed a new three-year contract with the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48931296|title=Sheffield United: Chris Wilder signs new three-year deal as manager|date=9 July 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}} On 10 January 2020, Wilder signed a four-year contract extension with the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51069883|title=Sheffield United: Chris Wilder: Sheffield United boss extends his contract until 2024|date=10 January 2020|publisher=BBC Sport}} Sheffield United went on to finish ninth in their first season back in the top flight, their best since 1991–92.

On 13 March 2021, Wilder left the club by mutual consent, with the club bottom of the Premier League, with 14 points from 28 games.{{cite web |title=Sheffield United confirm manager Chris Wilder's departure |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56387640 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=13 March 2021 |date=13 March 2021}}

On 7 November 2021, Wilder was appointed manager of Middlesbrough after the club parted ways with Neil Warnock.{{Cite web|date=7 November 2021|title=Chris Wilder named Middlesbrough boss and Neil Warnock replacement with immediate effect|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/12462727/chris-wilder-named-middlesbrough-boss-and-neil-warnock-replacement-with-immediate-effect|url-status=live|access-date=7 November 2021|website=Sky Sports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107111719/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/12462727/chris-wilder-named-middlesbrough-boss-and-neil-warnock-replacement-with-immediate-effect |archive-date=7 November 2021 }} After an unbeaten month which saw Boro win four out of their five matches, Wilder was awarded the EFL Championship Manager of the Month award for December 2021 with his wing-back Isaiah Jones winning the Player of the Month award.{{cite web|url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/wilder-and-jones-win-championships-december-awards|title=Wilder And Jones Win Championship December Awards|website=www.mfc.co.uk|date=7 January 2022}} Wilder was dismissed on 3 October 2022 with the club in the bottom three of the Championship. They had won only two of 11 league games played in the 2022–23 season.{{cite web | title=Middlesbrough sack manager Wilder | website=BBC Sport | date=3 October 2022 | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63116336 | access-date=3 October 2022}}

On 7 March 2023, Wilder was appointed manager of Watford on a contract until the end of the season after parting company with Slaven Bilic.{{Cite news |last=Media |first=P. A. |date=2023-03-07 |title=Watford sack Slaven Bilic and appoint Chris Wilder as new manager |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/07/watford-sack-manager-slaven-bilic-to-re-energise-championship-push |access-date=2023-03-07 |issn=0261-3077}} On 10 May 2023, Wilder was replaced as head coach by Valérien Ismaël, after Wilder's short-term contract came to an end after the final match of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65545356 |title=Valerien Ismael: Watford name ex-Barnsley and West Brom boss as new head coach |website=BBC Sport |date=10 May 2023 |access-date=10 May 2023}}

On 5 December 2023, Paul Heckingbottom was dismissed by Sheffield United after a 5–0 loss to Burnley that left the club sat at the bottom of Premier League. Wilder was brought in to replace him.{{Cite news |last=Poole |first=Harry |date=5 December 2023 |title=Sheff Utd sack Heckingbottom and appoint Wilder |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67622537 |access-date=5 December 2023}}

After a 3–2 loss to Crystal Palace on 30 January 2024, Wilder criticised referee Tony Harrington's performance, calling it "ridiculous" and pointing to decisions made against Sheffield United during the game. He went on to criticise one of the assistant referees for eating a sandwich when talking to him after the game, describing it as a "lack of respect".{{cite web |title=Chris Wilder: Sheffield United manager criticises perceived bias from officials |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68172818 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=1 July 2024}} He was fined £11,500 by the FA on 20 February, with them stating that his comments "imply bias and/or attack the integrity of the referee, or referees generally, and/or bring the game into disrepute".{{cite web |title=Sheffield United: Chris Wilder fined £11,500 after referee criticism |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68353483 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=1 July 2024}}

Despite Wilder's return to Bramall Lane, Sheffield United were relegated on 27 April 2024, following their 5–1 defeat by Newcastle United.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68862604|title=Newcastle 5–1 Sheffield United|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Howarth|first=Matthew|date=27 April 2024|access-date=2 May 2024}}

Following a strong start to the 2024–25 season, Wilder was named Championship Manager of the Month for September 2024 following ten points from four matches. {{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/october/11/sky-bet-championship-manager---player-of-the-month-september-winners/|title=Sky Bet Championship Manager & Player of the Month September winners|website=www.efl.com|date=11 October 2024|accessdate=11 October 2024}} He was again named manager of the month for November 2024, following a run of 16 points from six games which elevated The Blades to first position in the Championship.{{Cite news|URL=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2024/december/13/wilder-motm/|title=Boss claims second MOTM award of the season|work=Sheffield United F.C. Official Site|date=13 December 2024}} He once again received the award for March 2025 following thirteen points from five matches as they continued their hunt for automatic promotion. {{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2025/april/11/sky-bet-championship--manager-and-player-of-the-month-march-winners/|title=Sky Bet Championship: Manager and Player of the Month March Winners|website=www.efl.com|date=11 April 2025|accessdate=11 April 2025}}

:Source:

{{Notelist}}

{{updated|match played 24 May 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1811 |title=Managers: Chris Wilder |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=2 November 2024}}

Individual

• PFA Team of the Year: 1995–96 Second Division{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The 1996–97 Official PFA Footballers Factfile |year=1996 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=Harpenden |isbn=978-1-85291-571-1 |page=285}}

Alfreton Town{{cite web|title=Club Honours|url=http://www.alfretontownfc.com/content/honours-91.htm|website=Alfretontownfc.com|publisher=Alfreton Town FC|access-date=3 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226085242/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/content/honours-91.htm|archive-date=26 February 2018|url-status=dead}}

• Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division: 2001–02{{cite web |title=Club Honours | url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/features/30155/chris-wilder-my-rise-from-non-league-to-the-premier-league/ | website=Non League Paper | date=22 April 2020 | access-date=24 July 2020}}
• Northern Counties East Football League League Cup: 2001–02
• Northern Counties East Football League President's Cup: 2001–02
• Derbyshire Senior Cup: 2001–02

Halifax Town

• West Riding County Cup: 2003–04{{cite web | url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8004642.storton-in-need-of-morale-booster/?ref=arc | title=Storton in need of morale booster | work=Telegraph & Argus | date=18 February 2004 | access-date=24 July 2020}}

Oxford United

• Conference Premier play-offs: 2010

Northampton Town

• Football League Two: 2015–16{{cite web |url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/chris-wilder/ |title=League Managers Association - Chris Wilder |publisher=League Managers Association |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-date=15 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315074756/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/chris-wilder/ |url-status=dead }}

Sheffield United

• EFL League One: 2016–17{{cite news |first=James |last=Shield |title=Breaking: Sheffield United confirmed champions of League One |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/breaking-sheffield-united-confirmed-champions-of-league-one-1-8495105 |newspaper=The Star |location=Sheffield |date=15 April 2017 |access-date=17 April 2017}}
• EFL Championship runner-up: 2018–19{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

Individual

• Football Conference Manager of the Month: January 2003{{cite web|url=http://www.confguide.com/cgi-bin/news.mpl/2003/06/14/a |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030702230324/http://www.confguide.com/cgi-bin/news.mpl/2003/06/14/a |archive-date=2 July 2003 |title=Conference end of season awards |work=ConfGuide.com |date=14 June 2003 |access-date=14 March 2023}}
• The Football League / EFL Manager of the Season: 2015–16,{{Cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/april/the-football-league-awards-2016-winners/ |title=The Football League Awards 2016: Winners |publisher=EFL.com |date=17 April 2016 |access-date=29 April 2022 }} 2018–19{{Cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/-more/efl-awards/2019-winners/ |title=EFL Official Website - 2019 Winners |publisher=EFL.com |access-date=26 April 2022 }}
• LMA League Two Manager of the Year: 2015–16{{cite web |date=23 May 2017 |title=More honours for boss Wilder |url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2017/may/more-honours-for-wilder/ |access-date=4 June 2019 |publisher=Sheffield United FC}}
• LMA League One Manager of the Year: 2016–17
• LMA Special Achievement Award: 2016–17{{Cite web |date=24 May 2017 |title=LMA Annual Awards: Chris Hughton, Chris Wilder and Paul Cook recognised |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2017/may/lma-annual-awards-chris-hughton-chris-wilder-and-paul-cook-recognised/ |access-date=14 February 2023 |website=English Football League |language=}}
• LMA Championship Manager of the Year: 2018–19
• LMA Manager of the Year: 2018–19
• EFL Championship Manager of the Month: February 2019,{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2019/march/sky-bet-championship-february-manager-of-the-month-winner/|title=Sky Bet Championship: February Manager of the Month winner|website=Efl.com}} April 2019,{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2019/may/sky-bet-championship-manager-and-player-of-the-month-winners/|title=Sky Bet Championship: April Manager of the Month winner|website=Efl.com}} December 2021,{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2022/january/your-sky-bet-manager-and-player-of-the-month-december-winners/|title=Sky Bet Championship: December Manager of the Month winner|website=Efl.com}} September 2024, November 2024, {{Cite web |last=EFL |date=2024-12-13 |title=Sky Bet Championship: Manager and Player of the Month November Winners |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/december/13/sky-bet-championship--manager-and-player-of-the-month-november-winners/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=EFL |language=en}} March 2025
• EFL League One Manager of the Month: April 2017{{cite web |title=Chris Wilder named Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2017/may/chris-wilder-named-sky-bet-league-one-manager-of-the-month/ |website=Efl.com}}
• Football League Two Manager of the Month: January 2015,{{Cite web |title=Chris Wilder named Sky Bet League 2 Manager of the Month |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2015/february/chris-wilder-named-sky-bet-league-2-manager-of-the-month/ |access-date=29 March 2019 |website=Efl.com |language=en-gb}} November 2015,{{Cite web |title=Chris Wilder named Sky Bet League 2 Manager of the Month |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2015/december/chris-wilder-named-sky-bet-league-2-manager-of-the-month/ |access-date=29 March 2019 |website=Efl.com |language=en-gb}} January 2016,{{Cite web |title=Chris Wilder named Sky Bet League 2 Manager of the Month |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/february/chris-wilder-named-sky-bet-league-2-manager-of-the-month/ |access-date=29 March 2019 |website=Efl.com |language=en-gb}} February 2016{{Cite web |title=Chris Wilder named Sky Bet League 2 Manager of the Month |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/march/chris-wilder-named-sky-bet-league-2-manager-of-the-month/ |access-date=29 March 2019 |website=Efl.com |language=en-gb}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Soccerbase}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20151208101955/http://www.redimps.com/archive3/index.mv?cat=players&drop=playerdetsdrop&play=wild01 Lincoln City F.C. Official Archive Profile]

{{Sheffield United F.C. squad}}

{{EFL Championship managers}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilder, Chris}}

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