Chris Wilder, a leading contender for the Sunderland job, is set to sign a new contract at Sheffield United, according to reports.The Blades boss has been the frontrunner for the job at the Stadium of Light since Chris Coleman was sacked ahead of Stewart Donald's takeover plans being announced. Sunderland won't be appointing a new manager until the takeover has been ratified by the EFL, with a decision expected soon. Donald is due to meet EFL chiefs in London today as his takeover edges ever nearer, but any hope of luring Wilder to Wearside have been dealt a blow. Sky Sports news are reporting that Wilder is set to sign an improved extended contract at Bramall Lane, a move designed to ward off interest from Sunderland's prospective new owners. They report that Wilder along with Alan Knill and the rest of his backroom staff, have agreed to remain at Bramall Lane for a third season, despite the ongoing uncertainty around the ownership of the Championship club. United's co-owners Kevin McCabe and HRH Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met in London this week in a bid to resolve the ongoing row. Sky Sports report that they agreed to fund Wilder's new deal while there were also discussions about a summer transfer budget. Meanwhile, ex-Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy, who had been linked with the job at the Stadium of Light, says that he wants to manage in the top two divisions. Sunderland were last season relegated to League One for only the second time in the club's history. McCarthy, out of work after leaving Ipswich Town, has been speaking to the Daily Mail about his desire to get back into management. He said: "I want to work in the Championship or the Premier League. "If I could get a Championship job with a chance of getting in the Premier League, that would be great. What gives me inspiration is Roy Hodgson going in at Palace, Warny (Neil Warnock) at Cardiff. Get them organised, hard to beat, know what they are doing. Play good football. Win. I put myself in that bracket."
Either way he seems to be off the list. Those comments alone are enough to make you think he isn't considering it. Unlike the last couple of years where it was vital you got the correct person this one feels less essential, they need to make sure it isn't someone who is going to mess things up or overspend but you'd think there's quite a few decent managers who could do a decent enough job to have Sunderland fighting for promotion from League 1.
He played it well if that is the case using possible SAFC job as leverage. Not impressed with some of the dross now allegedly in the running, Alex Rae ffs! Media latch on to anyone remotely connected with the club and make a story, it will be Samson the friggin cat next.
Funny you should say that, but according to a local journo Tony Davison (formerly the man in the Samson suit) is set for a major role in the new regime. From Jeff Brown Suggestions that there could be a top role for Samson the Cat in the new @SunderlandAFC regime - aka Tony Davison, once the man in the cat suit at the SoL, now in the commercial side of football, with several connections to prospective owner Stewart Donald.
Re Wilder. I never thought that he was a serious contender. He just used the link to gain leverage with their board.
Is anyone else starting to think maybe it will be Wilder after all? I haven't seen any evidence that he has committed to Sheffield United.
