Is Chris Wilder moving on the right decision?

The departure of Chris Wilder from Sheffield United is a more emotional separation than most between manager and club.

The tale of ball boy, to player, to manager is one that has been recounted endlessly over the past week, and with good reason.

Wilder leaves, undoubtedly, a Blades legend. A lifelong fan who has proven himself to be one of the club’s greatest managers, taking them from League One to the Premier League, and a ninth place finish in the top flight.

Despite their current league position, Wilder’s departure will prompt a period of mourning from Sheffield United fans. This isn’t a manager who has come in, done his job and left, as all managers will eventually do.

This is a manager who is also a fan, and there is an emotional link which comes from that which isn’t matched in most managerial posts.

It creates a mutual acknowledgement between fans and manager, with both knowing the extreme highs and lows that the other is going through off the back of results.

That’s not to say that other managers do not deeply experience the ups and downs of their team. But there is an extra connection when, like in Wilder’s situation, the manager is also a lifelong fan of the club.

The extreme lows experienced this season have been painfully etched across Wilder’s face in a campaign that looks to have taken its toll on him. Unfortunately for Wilder, some of it has been out of his control.

Tensions in the boardroom have been well documented. A shift towards a director of football model appears to be on the horizon which contrasts with Wilder’s management style, transfers have not worked out as hoped and there have been devastating injury problems.

Wilder is known as a manager who is not a fan of ‘excuses’, but there have certainly been difficult factors which have led to such a disappointing season for the Blades.

And with Sheffield United faltering, it brings into question what would be the best way for the club to move forward – for Wilder to be given autonomy over transfers and strategy, or for the club to move towards a director of football model?

The latter appears to be the case which, despite it being a gut wrench for Sheffield United fans, means that Wilder’s departure at this point appears to be the appropriate path to take.

Relegation looks pretty much sealed, and it would taint Wilder’s incredible legacy should fights over how the club should progress were to dominate his tenure into life back in the Championship next season.

If there is to be a debate over Wilder’s departure, it should more be focused on a decision over the club’s supposed intentions to move towards a director of football model and with this in the pipeline, a parting of ways may have been necessary to go down this path.

The departure now means that Wilder’s legacy does not get bogged down in boardroom squabbling and remains the amazing journey it is. Picking the club up from their struggles in League One and back into the Championship, the tactical ingenuity in their back three system, a stunning promotion to the Premier League and a dalliance with the European places last season.

The difficulties of this season are fresh in the mind, Wilder’s achievements at the club completely outweigh the struggles of this season.

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