Chris Wilder - "I am not frightened of the challenge"

Chris Wilder – “I am not frightened of the challenge”

New Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is relishing the prospect of bringing his boyhood side back to their former glory.

The 48-year-old signed a three-year-deal at Bramall Lane yesterday after guiding Northampton to the League Two title, finishing 13 points ahead of second placed Oxford United.

The new Blades boss told reporters this morning “Of course this is my dream job. Hopefully it will be a great period of my footballing career.

“I’m determined to get the club going forward and I understand the responsibility and the history.

“I’m ready for the challenge. As soon as this club made the telephone call it was a complete no-brainer. I wouldn’t have been able to sleep at night if I had turned this down.”

Wilder was set to move to fellow League One club Charlton Athletic earlier in the week but talks broke down on Wednesday.

Northampton then gave permission for Wilder to speak to Sheffield United after Nigel Adkins was sacked.

Wilder added “I’m not frightened of the challenge. I don’t go in for three or five-year plans. If we can get out of the division this year then we will do.

“The biggest thing is to go and win games of football and I put myself under enormous pressure to do that.”

The new Sheffield manager also confirmed this morning that Billy Sharp will captain the Blades next season.