Football
Exclusive: Chris Wilder Eyes Club Legend Billy Sharp for Future Sheffield United Backroom Role
Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp is being considered for a coaching role at Bramall Lane as Chris Wilder returns. Sharp, who dreams of managing the club one day, could join Wilder's staff to kickstart that journey. Wilder wants passionate Blades like Sharp by his side as he aims to revive the struggling team.
Sheffield United v Wrexham: Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Replay by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA | Getty Images
Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp is being considered for a coaching role at Bramall Lane, SportsBoom understands, as Chris Wilder begins reasserting his authority at the club.
Despite being sacked by The Blades new owners only three months ago, Wilder was reappointed as the club’s manager for a third time earlier this week following Ruben Selles’ departure.
Although Gary McSheffrey is set to step-up to first team duties alongside Wilder’s long-serving lieutenants Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge, sources close to United last night revealed that Sharp, who netted 129 times for his hometown side before joining Doncaster Rovers, is also viewed as a future member of Wilder’s backroom staff.
Having also represented the likes of Leeds United, Southampton and Nottingham Forest during what has been a stellar footballing career, Sharp has made no secret of his desire to one day take charge of United himself.
Working for Wilder, under whom he enjoyed arguably his greatest success in the game, would be the perfect way for the now 39-year-old to begin the process of ensuring that dream becomes a reality.
Brentford chief Keith Andrews was also a member of Wilder’s backroom staff before departing for the GTech Community Stadium and the Irishman’s achievements since that brief spell in South Yorkshire will not have been lost on Sharp, whose contract with Rovers is set to expire at the end of the campaign.
HEARTBREAKING
Although Wilder led them to third in the table last term, before their heartbreaking defeat by Sunderland in the Championship play-off final, Wilder takes charge of a squad tooted to the bottom of the table following Ruben Selles’ short but disastrous spell at the helm.
Aged 57, Wilder makes no secret of the fact he likes to surround himself with people who are as passionate about The Blades as him.
Sharp, who graduated from United’s renowned youth academy before turning professional, certainly fits the bill and any return would be welcomed both on the terraces and inside a dressing room devoid of confidence after losing all of its outings under Selles.
Sharp has publicly declared his desire to continue playing for as long as possible and has been in impressive form for Rovers.
But, like Wilder, he would find it difficult to reject any overture from United in the future.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.