Winners and losers as Chris Wilder returns to Sheffield United as COH Sports and Gus Hamer feature

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Following Chris Wilder’s return to Sheffield United, there are set to be many changes, which could benefit, but also hinder several people.

Sheffield United have confirmed the arrival of Chris Wilder, returning for a third spell at Bramall Lane.

COH Sports made the bold decision to relieve Wilder of his duties following the Championship play-off final defeat, with Ruben Selles coming in as his successor, but the Spaniard has significantly struggled with the current Blades squad.

Sheffield United sit rock-bottom of the Championship table with zero points, and the 5-0 defeat to Ipswich Town proved to be the breaking point for the owners in Selles’ short tenure in S2.

Now that Wilder’s return to the club has been confirmed, we looked at the potential winners and losers of his return.

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Winners as Chris Wilder returns to Sheffield United

COH Sports

EFL Analysis exclusively confirmed that Chris Wilder’s re-appointment at Sheffield United will have significant financial benefits for the club, as the Blades boss’ monthly pay-off would no longer have to be owed.

This makes it a shrewd deal from COH Sports, as, while they are responsible for the poor decision to remove Wilder in the first place, they will not be tasked with two separate pay-offs.

As well as the financial aspect, COH Sports may get some credit for not being stubborn with their decision to remove Wilder.

The owners are aware that it was a huge error on their part to lose Wilder, and it feels like an apology to him and the supporters by reinstating him at the club.

Gus Hamer

In Ruben Selles’ last game at Sheffield United, Gus Hamer was dropped to the bench in the defeat against Ipswich Town. It was a decision that left the Sheffield United fanbase stunned.

Unsurprisingly, Sheffield United looked even more one-dimensional without Hamer, last year’s Championship Player of the Season, in the centre of the park.

During Selles’ tenure, the Brazilian-born star was also played slightly deeper, with his abilities being limited in the central-midfield role.

As was the case last season, Chris Wilder will be keen to redeploy him on the left flank, where he thrived for Sheffield United.

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Losers following Chris Wilder’s arrival

COH Sports

The Sheffield United owners got themselves into hot water with the decision to replace Chris Wilder, in spite of a brilliant 2024/25 campaign.

It was a decision that had to pay off, and in hindsight, it was a disastrous move to replace someone who had guided the club through a challenging period, with Sheffield United responding to their difficult relegation from the Premier League in the season prior.

While they have made the correct decision to return to Wilder, it is not a good look on the owners, whose left-field decision massively backfired, leaving them with their tail between their legs.

Ruben Selles

The obvious loser from the manager merry-go-round is Ruben Selles, who, after just five Championship games, finds himself out of a job once again.

Ruben Selles’ departure at Hull City came as a surprise after he kept the Tigers up in the Championship, but this one did not raise any eyebrows.

The Spaniard was on an upward trajectory in his career, but after becoming the first-ever Sheffield United boss to not manage a single competitive win, it will be difficult for another side to take him on immediately.