Chris Wilder’s future as Sheffield United manager in doubt before board meeting

Chris Wilder’s future as Sheffield United manager is in doubt, with the club’s American owners set to discuss his position at a board meeting.

It is thought the recruitment strategy has been a significant factor in pushing Wilder’s future towards a crossroads. The US-based consortium COH Sports, led by Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy, completed a takeover last December.

The 57-year-old, in his second spell in charge of his boyhood club, led United to the Championship playoff final last month, which they lost to Sunderland, after missing out on automatic promotion.

United are keen to press ahead with more “data-driven” recruitment, which includes the use of artificial intelligence. This week United signed the Nigerian winger Ehije Ukaki from the Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv, a move made by the winger Christian Nwachukwu, 19, in January.

In the same window United signed Jefferson Cáceres, 22, from the Peruvian club FBC Melgar but neither Nwachukwu nor Cáceres has made a first-team appearance.

The Blades are one of several Championship clubs searching for a manager, with Middlesbrough, Queens Park Rangers and Bristol City also seeking to fill vacancies.

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On Wednesday Hull City appointed Sergej Jakirovic as their head coach on a two-year contract, and this month West Brom appointed the former Tottenham coach Ryan Mason on a three-year contract.

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