Chris Wilder: The Next England Manager?

Chris Wilder is one of the most successful and respected managers in English football. He has achieved remarkable feats with Sheffield United, taking them from League One to the Premier League in just three seasons, and finishing ninth in their first campaign back in the top flight. He has also won promotion with Oxford United and Northampton Town, and has a wealth of experience in the lower leagues. But could he be the next manager of the England national team?

Wilder has many qualities that make him a strong candidate for the England job. He is passionate, ambitious, innovative and adaptable. He has a clear vision of how he wants his teams to play, and he is not afraid to challenge his players and demand high standards. He has also shown that he can work with limited resources and get the best out of his squad.

Wilder’s style of play is based on a 3-5-2 formation, with overlapping centre-backs, dynamic wing-backs, energetic midfielders and hard-working strikers. He likes his teams to be aggressive, press high, play with intensity and create chances. He also values versatility, flexibility and tactical awareness, as he often switches formations and roles during matches to suit the situation.

Wilder’s achievements with Sheffield United are especially impressive, as he transformed them from a struggling third-tier club to a competitive Premier League side in a short span of time. He broke several records along the way, such as winning 100 points in League One, achieving the highest points tally for a promoted Championship team, and becoming the first newly-promoted Premier League team to finish in the top half since 2005-06.

Wilder has also proven that he can compete with some of the best managers in the world, such as Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho. He has earned praise from his peers for his tactical acumen, his man-management skills and his humble personality. He has also shown that he can handle pressure, criticism and adversity, as he faced several challenges during his career, such as financial constraints, injuries and relegation battles.

However, Wilder also has some weaknesses that could hinder his chances of becoming the next England manager. One of them is his lack of experience at international level, as he has never managed or played for his country. He may not have the knowledge or the connections to deal with the complexities and demands of international football, such as scouting players from different leagues, managing egos and expectations, coping with media scrutiny and handling different cultures and languages.

Another weakness is his loyalty to his staff and players, which could be seen as a strength but also a limitation. Wilder has worked with the same assistant manager, Alan Knill, since 2014, and he has relied on a core group of players that he brought with him from Sheffield United to Middlesbrough and now Watford. He may not be willing or able to work with different people or adapt to different environments.

A third weakness is his temperament, which could be seen as a positive but also a negative. Wilder is known for being outspoken, honest and emotional. He often speaks his mind and expresses his feelings in public. He may not be able to control his emotions or filter his words when dealing with sensitive issues or controversial situations.

In conclusion, Chris Wilder is a talented and successful manager who has done wonders with Sheffield United and other clubs. He has many attributes that make him a potential candidate for the England job. However, he also has some flaws that could prevent him from taking the next step in his career. He may need to prove himself at a higher level or broaden his horizons before he can be considered for one of the most prestigious and challenging roles in football.