Football
Exclusive: Former Sheff Utd Chris Wilder Emerges as Rangers Option Amid Russell Martin Pressure
Former Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is being considered as a potential new boss for Rangers amidst speculation about parting ways with current manager Russell Martin. Wilder's strong squad mentality and aggressive football style are appealing to the Glasgow giants. Despite being controversially sacked by United's new owners, Wilder has a proven track record of success. Ranger's discontent with Martin's defensive vulnerabilities has led to consideration of higher-profile candidates.
Sheffield United v Bristol City - Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi Final Second Leg by Carl Recine | Getty Images
Chris Wilder, the former Sheffield United manager, is understood to feature among a list of names being considered by Rangers if they part company with Russell Martin.
The 56-year-old is a free agent after leaving Bramall Lane at the end of last season and has previously been the subject of interest from the Ibrox hierarchy.
Although a formal offer did not materialise on that occasion, following Michael Beale’s departure in 2023, Wilder’s availability and talent for building a strong squad mentality make him an attractive proposition for the Glasgow-giants given their current predicament.
Martin has failed to win any of his first three league outings since taking charge over the summer. Discontent on the terraces grew following their humbling by Club Brugge in the Champions League qualifiers, suffering a 9-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of the Belgians.
Although Rangers are likely to consider a number of higher-profile candidates should they decide to axe Martin, with Jose Mourinho being linked, Wilder’s no-nonsense mentality and aggressive brand of football would strike a chord with their disillusioned support.
Despite building his reputation on attacking, expansive football, Martin has frequently been criticised for also producing defensively vulnerable teams.
The question marks surrounding his philosophy have grown larger in recent weeks, with Motherwell, Dundee and St Mirren all taking points off his side.
CONTROVERSIALLY SACKED
Wilder was controversially relieved of his duties by United’s new owners after they were narrowly beaten by Sunderland in May’s Championship play-off final.
Nevertheless, having been promoted twice under his stewardship before and also finishing ninth in the Premier League, The Blades have struggled under his successor Ruben Selles.
Having accumulated 92 points last term, they are currently on zero after making a disastrous start under the Spaniard.
Many United supporters are calling for Wilder to return. But with COH Sports, the American consortium which bought-out Prince Abdullah bin Mosa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud just before Christmas favouring an AI-centric approach to recruitment, it would take a major change of tact to persuade him to take over for a third time.
Wilder has also shown an interest in working north of the border before, having considered throwing his hat into the ring for jobs at both Aberdeen and Hearts.
However, he elected to continue his career in England having also led the likes of Watford and Middlesbrough.
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.