Chris Wilder facts for kids
Wilder in 2008
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 23 September 1967 | ||
| Place of birth | Stocksbridge, West Riding of Yorkshire, England | ||
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) | ||
| Playing position | Right-back | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Sheffield United (manager) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1982–1986 | Southampton | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1986–1992 | Sheffield United | 93 | (1) |
| 1989 | → Walsall (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 1990 | → Charlton Athletic (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 1991 | → Charlton Athletic (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 1992 | → Leyton Orient (loan) | 16 | (1) |
| 1992–1996 | Rotherham United | 132 | (11) |
| 1996–1997 | Notts County | 46 | (0) |
| 1997–1998 | Bradford City | 42 | (0) |
| 1998–1999 | Sheffield United | 12 | (0) |
| 1998 | → Northampton Town (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 1999 | → Lincoln City (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 1999 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 11 | (0) |
| 1999–2001 | Halifax Town | 51 | (1) |
| Total | 414 | (14) | |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2001–2002 | Alfreton Town | ||
| 2002–2008 | Halifax Town | ||
| 2008–2014 | Oxford United | ||
| 2014–2016 | Northampton Town | ||
| 2016–2021 | Sheffield United | ||
| 2021–2022 | Middlesbrough | ||
| 2023 | Watford | ||
| 2023– | Sheffield United | ||
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Christopher John Wilder (born 23 September 1967) is an English professional football manager and former player. He used to play as a right-back defender. Today, he is the manager of the Premier League club Sheffield United.
Wilder had a long career playing football for many teams. These included Sheffield United (twice), Rotherham United, Notts County, Bradford City, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Halifax Town. He also played on loan for five other clubs.
After he stopped playing, he became a manager. He led teams like Alfreton Town, Halifax Town, Oxford United, Northampton Town, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, and Watford. He helped several of these teams get promoted to higher leagues. He is now managing Sheffield United for the second time.
Contents
Chris Wilder's Early Life
Christopher John Wilder was born on 23 September 1967. His hometown is Stocksbridge, which is in West Riding of Yorkshire, England.
Chris Wilder's Playing Career
Wilder started his football journey as a young player at Southampton. However, he didn't play for their main team.
In August 1986, he joined Sheffield United. He was a regular player when Sheffield United got promoted back to the second division in the 1988–89 season. The team then earned another promotion the next season, returning to the first division after 14 years.
Wilder played regularly in the first division for a season. After that, he found it harder to get playing time. So, in 1992, he moved to Rotherham United. He stayed there for four years, playing the most games and scoring the most goals of his career at one club.
In 1998, Wilder came back to Sheffield United. A year later, he joined Brighton & Hove Albion. He then moved to Halifax Town in the same year.
Chris Wilder's Managerial Journey
Managing Alfreton Town
Wilder began his managing career at Alfreton Town in October 2001. In just 27 weeks, his team won four different trophies! These included the Northern Counties (East) League Premier Division and the League Cup.
Leading Halifax Town
Wilder became the manager of Halifax Town on 2 July 2002. He managed the club for over 300 games. Halifax Town faced financial difficulties and closed down on 30 June 2008. After this, Wilder became an assistant manager at Bury.
Success at Oxford United
Less than six months later, on 21 December 2008, Wilder took over as manager of Oxford United. In his first full season, Oxford United finished second in their league. They then won the play-off final, beating York City 3–1. This win promoted them to the Football League after four years away.
In their first season back, Wilder guided Oxford to a safe 12th place finish. The next season, they finished ninth. On 26 January 2014, he left Oxford to manage Northampton Town.
Northampton Town's Rise
On 27 January 2014, Wilder became the manager of Northampton Town. He signed a three-and-a-half-year contract. He helped the club avoid being relegated from League Two.
In the 2014–15 season, his team finished in the middle of the table. The next season, despite money problems at the club, he led them to win the League Two title with 99 points.
Returning to Sheffield United
On 12 May 2016, Wilder became the manager of his childhood club, Sheffield United. He signed a three-year contract. Even with limited money for new players, he brought in some good ones, often on free transfers. He also made Billy Sharp the team captain.
His first season started slowly, with only one point from the first four games. But the team quickly improved. They went on to win the League One Championship, earning a club record 100 points.
Promotions and Achievements
His second season was also very successful. Sheffield United won their first Championship game 1–0. In September 2017, they beat their city rivals Sheffield Wednesday 4–2. By the end of October, after beating Leeds United, Sheffield United were at the top of the Championship league.
On 28 April 2019, it was confirmed that Wilder had led the team to the Premier League. This was his second promotion in just three years with the club! For this amazing achievement, he won the LMA Manager of the Year award.
In July 2019, Wilder signed a new three-year contract. On 10 January 2020, he signed another four-year extension. Sheffield United finished ninth in their first season back in the top league. This was their best finish since the 1991–92 season.
On 13 March 2021, Wilder left the club. At that time, the team was at the bottom of the Premier League.
Managing Middlesbrough
On 7 November 2021, Wilder was appointed manager of Middlesbrough. After a great month where his team won four out of five matches, Wilder won the EFL Championship Manager of the Month award for December 2021.
However, he was dismissed on 3 October 2022. The club was in the bottom three of the Championship, having won only two of their first 11 league games that season.
Short Spell at Watford
On 7 March 2023, Wilder became the manager of Watford. He signed a contract until the end of the season. His short-term contract ended after the final match of the season on 10 May 2023.
Second Return to Sheffield United
On 5 December 2023, Wilder was brought back to manage Sheffield United. The club was at the bottom of the Premier League after a big loss.
After a game on 30 January 2024, Wilder was fined £11,500 by the FA. This was because he made comments about the referee's performance that were seen as unfair.
Despite his return, Sheffield United was relegated on 27 April 2024. They lost 5–1 to Newcastle United.
Wilder has had a strong start to the 2024–25 season. He was named Championship Manager of the Month for September and November 2024. In November, his team moved to first place in the Championship.
Chris Wilder's Honours and Awards
As a Player
- PFA Team of the Year: 1995–96 Second Division (This means he was chosen as one of the best players in his league that season)
As a Manager
Alfreton Town
- Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division: 2001–02
- 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
Oxford United
- Conference Premier play-offs: 2010 (His team won the play-offs to get promoted)
Northampton Town
- Football League Two: 2015–16 (His team won the League Two title)
Sheffield United
- EFL League One: 2016–17 (His team won the League One title)
- EFL Championship runner-up: 2018–19 (His team finished second, earning promotion)
Individual Awards
- Football Conference Manager of the Month: January 2003
- The Football League / EFL Manager of the Season: 2015–16, 2018–19
- LMA League Two Manager of the Year: 2015–16
- LMA League One Manager of the Year: 2016–17
- LMA Special Achievement Award: 2016–17
- LMA Championship Manager of the Year: 2018–19
- LMA Manager of the Year: 2018–19
- EFL Championship Manager of the Month: February 2019, April 2019, December 2021, September 2024, November 2024
- EFL League One Manager of the Month: April 2017
- Football League Two Manager of the Month: January 2015, November 2015, January 2016, February 2016
Images for kids
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Wilder in 2008
See also
In Spanish: Chris Wilder para niños
