The report comes with fans still waiting to find out the outcome of a meeting which was said to have been scheduled by the club.

Sheffield Star state there is no unanimous agreement among the seven board members on whether to retain or sack Wilder, with no final decision has been communicated to Wilder, who remains focused on achieving promotion next season, with a number of transfer targets identified.

The Blades picked up 90 points in the Championship in the 2024-25 season, only missing out on automatic promotion to the Premier League to Leeds and Burnley, who both ended on 100 points.

Sheffield United lost 2-1 to Sunderland in the playoff final, and now Wilder, 18 months into his second spell with the club, is facing an uncertain future.

With that in mind, Alan Nixon reports Gary O’Neil tops Sheffield United’s wanted list, big admirers of the former Wolves and Bournemouth boss. Ruben Selles is another candidate.

Nixon also states that Wilder’s position is at risk due to tensions with new American owners who are pushing AI-driven player signings, relatively unknown footballers, while Wilder prefers experienced players.

Wilder’s contract extension in January means sacking him would be costly.

“I’m delighted. A pretty easy decision from my point of view, to commit for the next three and a half years. I think it goes under the radar how early we are into this rebuild as well, and the amount of work that we did in the summer.

“I’m delighted with the players, their attitude, the culture, the connection back with the supporters. People talk about how managers need two or three windows to really settle the team down and get them connected. So to get ourselves in a position to do that, in the short space of time that we’ve done it, is a great effort from the coaches, the people that I work with and the players.

“I think it gives stability to the football club, to the players as well, knowing that we’re here for the medium-to-long-term future. You always know the nature of the business, you’ve got to win games of football, and we’ve done that.”

“Well, I don’t think you can get ahead of yourself too much. You’ve got to go and win the next game of football and if you don’t, you’ve got to go and win the one after that.

“There’s always short, medium and long term but I’ve said for quite a while, I think the club’s in a really good place. The ambition of the owners has been there for everybody to see over this window, with the backing and support they’ve given myself and the recruitment department.”

“It has been a pleasure working with Chris and his knowledgeable team during this exciting new chapter for Sheffield United.”

Meanwhile, and Bristol City’s Brian Tinnion is tipped for a potential director of football role.

https://t.co/aZFwq651cq

— The Bladesman (@The_Bladesman) June 14, 2025

: Feels it’s a little bit disrespectful to start reporting who were are looking at when the decision to sack him hasn’t even been decided yet! Wilder deserves better, in my opinion and also a second chance at getting us promoted (only my opinion too).

: O’Neil is a no, but Selles took on a minefield of a job at Reading and did an unbelievable job! Known for being a highly regarded coach, plus he’s a data analyst which obvs appeals to the new ownership. Turned Hull around from a certain relegation, did a number on us for sure!

: I wouldn’t have either of these near the club. Both not good enough for a promotion challenge but would take Selles over O’Neil any day of the week after avoiding relegation at Hull whilst O’Neil was horrific at Wolves.

: Wilder will do a better job than either of them

: League one again ole ole 🎶

: If we sack Chris Wilder for GON or Selles, these owners will really get what they deserve.

: Jesus. Cannot abide O’Neil.

: Not Wilder’s biggest fan, but I’d 100% rather keep him than O’Neil.

: Crap. Should he in for Hassenhutl

: Are all you wilder out people happy now? Absolute fuckin joke

: Gary O’Neil would be up there with the worst appointment in the clubs history. Fuck that clean off. Disrespectful as fuck talking about other managers when we have the one in we all want now!!!

: WTF is going on 🫣 How to ruin a club or what

: Fuck that. Stop fuckin about and back Wilder ⚔️

: Been quiet for a while but bollocks to these yanks already for me – why don’t we just hire a Bulgarian manager

: Gary O’Neil would be a poor appt imo. Would be better off keeping Wilder. Selles is vastly underrated by United fans judging on tweets I’ve seen. Did one of best jobs in England recently while he was at Reading! And it was mental, Hull sacked him!

: It’s really really simple you keep the majority of players sell one of a peck or an One and go and get Stevey Cooper. Wilder is gone there is zero chance he can come back from this cats out the preverbal bag #twitterblades

: If he is going Gary O’Neil isn’t a bad name to be looking at 👀

: Selles is a good manager but wouldn’t quite feel right for me, O’Neil would be worrying

: GON did a decent job at wolves but is a bit dull. Selles is a huge risk but possibly higher ceiling. If the king goes the owners need to get it right 👍

: Did a reyt job at reading with his hands tied behind his back. Took a risk going to hull who were structurally the absolute opposite to reading. Good with young players too. But would be a very brave decision

@The_Bladesman: I don’t mind Gary O’Neil but would feel a bit uninspiring. They might end up doing well but him, Steve Cooper, Steven Gerrard etc. just make me feel nothing. Big big fan of Ruben Selles. He’d be up there with my top choices if Wilder was sacked.