 Wilder in 2008 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher John Wilder | ||
| Date of birth | (1967-09-23)23 September 1967 (age 58) | ||
| Place of birth | Stocksbridge, West Riding of Yorkshire, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1] | ||
| Position | Right-back[2] | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | 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) | |
| Managerial career | |||
| 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 | ||
| 2023–2025 | Sheffield United | ||
| 2025– | Sheffield United | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Christopher John Wilder (born 23 September 1967) is an English professionalfootball manager who formerlyplayed as aright-back. He is the manager ofEFL Championship clubSheffield United.
Wilder's extensive professional playing career saw spells at Sheffield United (twice),Rotherham United,Notts County,Bradford City,Brighton & Hove Albion andHalifax Town. He also had loan spells at five clubs.
After retiring, he became a manager and was in charge ofAlfreton Town, Halifax Town (their last manager before liquidation),Oxford United,Northampton Town, Sheffield United,Middlesbrough and Watford. He won promotion from theConference Premier with Oxford via the play-offs in 2010, fromLeague Two as champions with Northampton in 2016, fromLeague One with Sheffield United as champions in 2017, and from theChampionship with the same club two years later.
Christopher John Wilder was born on 23 September 1967 inStocksbridge, West Riding of Yorkshire (now South Yorkshire).[2]
Wilder started his football career as a trainee atSouthampton and was released without making it into the first team.[3]
He moved on toSheffield United in August 1986. In December 1987, defender Wilder was sent off for a crude tackle on Millwall'sJimmy Carterin a season which saw the Sheffield club relegated to the third division.[4] The following season Wilder was on the receiving end, being elbowed in the face. Swansea'sBryan Wade received a three match ban forviolent conduct as a result.[5] Wilder was a regular in the team that finished second and therefore clinched promotion back to the second division at the first attempt in the1988–89 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 nearbyRotherham United in 1992, staying for a further four years and amassing his largest number of games and goals for one club.[6]
In 1998, Wilder returned to Sheffield United, and a year later he was brought toBrighton & Hove Albion byMicky Adams before joining Halifax Town that same year.[7]
Wilder began his career in management atAlfreton 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 toHalifax Town as manager on 2 July 2002.[8][9] He replacedcaretaker managerNeil Redfearn, who had in turn replacedAlan 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 defenderAlan Knill, as the assistant manager ofBury.[10]
After fewer than six months atGigg Lane, Wilder was appointed as the manager ofConference National clubOxford United on 21 December 2008[11] (replacingJim Smith who had been caretaker manager in the wake ofDarren 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 byStevenage, who would go on to win the title and take the automatic promotion place, consigning the Us to the playoffs withLuton Town,Rushden & Diamonds andYork City. They defeated Rushden & Diamonds to reach the play-off final, and gained promotion to theFootball League by beating York City 3–1.[12]
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.[13] 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.[14] Oxford's chairman Kelvin Thomas gave Wilder his backing, meaning he would remain manager for the2012–13 season.[15] 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 the2013–14 season.[16]
On 26 January 2014 he resigned as Oxford manager with the intention of joining League Two rivals Northampton Town as their manager.[17]
On 27 January 2014, Wilder was appointed manager ofNorthampton 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.[18] He led the side to a mid-table finish in the 2014–15 season, and then to theLeague Two title the following season with 99 points,[19] despite significant financial difficulties at the club resulting in players and staff not being paid during October and November 2015.[20]
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 withNigel Adkins.[21][22] 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 bornBilly 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.[23] Despite this, the club pushed on and went on to become League One Champions, securing 100 points in the process, a club record.[24]
His second season was full of highs and few lows. His managerial Championship debut againstBrentford ended in a 1–0 win for Sheffield United.[25] Then in September 2017, United beatcity rivalsSheffield Wednesday 4–2 atHillsborough,[26] a record for goals scored by United against Wednesday at Hillsborough. By the end of October, after beating local rivalsLeeds United 2–1 atElland Road, Sheffield United were top of the Championship.[27]
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.[28] This ensured his second promotion in just three years at the club. This achievement earned him theLMA Manager of the Year award.[29]
In July 2019, Wilder signed a new three-year contract with the club.[30] On 10 January 2020, Wilder signed a four-year contract extension with the club.[31] Sheffield United went on to finish ninth in their first season back in the top flight, their best since1991–92.
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.[32]
On 7 November 2021, Wilder was appointed manager of Middlesbrough after the club parted ways withNeil Warnock.[33] After an unbeaten month which saw Boro win four out of their five matches, Wilder was awarded theEFL Championship Manager of the Month award for December 2021 with his wing-backIsaiah Jones winning thePlayer of the Month award.[34] 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 the2022–23 season.[35]
On 7 March 2023, Wilder was appointed manager ofWatford on a contract until the end of the season after parting company withSlaven Bilić.[36] On 10 May 2023, Wilder was replaced as head coach byValérien Ismaël, after Wilder's short-term contract came to an end after the final match of the season.[37]
On 5 December 2023,Paul Heckingbottom was dismissed by Sheffield United after a 5–0 loss toBurnley that left the club at the bottom of thePremier League. Wilder was brought in to replace him.[38]
After a 3–2 loss toCrystal Palace on 30 January 2024, Wilder criticised refereeTony 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".[39] He was fined £11,500 bythe 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".[40]
Despite Wilder's return to Bramall Lane, Sheffield United were relegated on 27 April 2024, following their 5–1 defeat byNewcastle United.[41]
Following a strong start to the2024–25 season, Wilder was named Championship Manager of the Month for September 2024 following ten points from four matches.[42] 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.[43] He once again received the award for March 2025 following thirteen points from five matches as they continued their hunt for automatic promotion.[44] They finished third in the EFL Championship but lost toSunderland in theplay-off final.[45]
After failing to gain promotion to the Premier League, Wilder’s contact was terminated in June 2025.[46]
On 15 September 2025, Wilder returned to Sheffield United on a contract until the end of the 2026–27 season following the sacking ofRubén Sellés.[47][48] On 30 September, Wilder received a red card for accidentally kicking a ball into a fan at halftime during a game againstSouthampton.[49]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sheffield United | 1986–87 | Second Division | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| 1987–88 | Second Division | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
| 1988–89 | Third Division | 29 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 38 | 1 | |
| 1989–90 | Second Division | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| 1990–91 | First Division | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| 1991–92 | First Division | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Total | 93 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 112 | 1 | ||
| Walsall (loan) | 1989–90 | Third Division | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Charlton Athletic (loan) | 1990–91 | Second Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Charlton Athletic (loan) | 1991–92 | Second Division | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Leyton Orient (loan) | 1991–92 | Third Division | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 17 | 1 |
| Rotherham United | 1992–93 | Second Division | 32 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 38 | 8 |
| 1993–94 | Second Division | 37 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 43 | 3 | |
| 1994–95 | Second Division | 45 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | 53 | 1 | |
| 1995–96 | Second Division | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 24 | 0 | |
| Total | 132 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 158 | 12 | ||
| Notts County | 1995–96 | Second Division | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 1996–97 | Second Division | 37 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 44 | 0 | |
| Total | 46 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 0 | ||
| Bradford City | 1996–97 | First Division | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 1997–98 | First Division | 35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | |
| Total | 42 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 0 | ||
| Sheffield United | 1997–98 | First Division | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 1998–99 | First Division | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Total | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | ||
| Northampton Town (loan) | 1998–99 | Second Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Lincoln City (loan) | 1998–99 | Second Division | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | 1999–2000 | Third Division | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Halifax Town | 1999–2000 | Third Division | 31 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 35 | 1 |
| 2000–01 | Third Division | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 23 | 0 | |
| Total | 51 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 58 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 414 | 14 | 25 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 484 | 15 | ||
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win % | |||
| Halifax Town | 2 July 2002 | 30 June 2008 | 312 | 120 | 77 | 115 | 038.46 |
| Oxford United | 21 December 2008 | 26 January 2014 | 269 | 121 | 70 | 78 | 044.98 |
| Northampton Town | 27 January 2014 | 12 May 2016 | 126 | 61 | 28 | 37 | 048.41 |
| Sheffield United | 12 May 2016 | 13 March 2021 | 227 | 106 | 47 | 74 | 046.70 |
| Middlesbrough | 7 November 2021 | 3 October 2022 | 45 | 18 | 11 | 16 | 040.00 |
| Watford | 7 March 2023 | 10 May 2023 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 027.27 |
| Sheffield United | 5 December 2023 | 18 June 2025 | 78 | 34 | 13 | 31 | 043.59 |
| Sheffield United | 15 September 2025 | present | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 036.36 |
| Total | 1,079 | 467 | 250 | 362 | 043.28 | ||
Individual
Alfreton Town[52]
Halifax Town
Oxford United
Northampton Town
Sheffield United
Individual
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |