WILD THING
Allardyce: Top clubs will be targeting Blades boss
CHRIS WILDER has been living the dream this season.
But Sam Allardyce reckons the Sheffield United boss might just run out of luck when the top managerial awards are handed out.
A winner of the LMA’S Manager of the Year and Championship Manager of the year last May, Wilder (right) should be bang on course for more personal glory again after an astonishing campaign in the Premier League with the promoted Blades.
But Allardyce reckons Jurgen Klopp’s incredible performance at Liverpool’s helm over the last seven months means the German boss will clean up – just like his stunning stars.
“In any other year, Chris would have been looking at sweeping the board again at the LMA awards for the way he’s navigated Sheffield United’s first season back in the Premier League,” said Big Sam.
“But Jurgen’s achievements of winning the Champions League in June and potentially smashing the Premier League points record on the way to Liverpool’s first title in 30 years will top everything this season.
“Chris might still land one of the awards, but, if he doesn’t, that shouldn’t detract from the unbelievable job he’s doing at Bramall Lane.
“He’s got a fabulous pedigree in his life as a manager and his track record is exceptional.
“He deserves to be where he is right now and I think he can achieve even greater things in management, wherever that might be. His journey is only just beginning at this level, but he’s had a fabulous start to his Premier League career and, if he continues, who knows who will come in for him?”
Historically, the top-six jobs have gone to big-name foreign managers.
And, despite believing Wilder deserves a chance with a top-six club, Allardyce isn’t holding his breath that the Blades boss can break that mould – even though he’s currently outperforming Mikel Arteta and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who sit below him in the Premier League.
“History tells you the big clubs don’t go for managers like Chris, Sean Dyche or Eddie Howe.
“When you are doing well like Chris, there’s a very small window of opportunity unless you have been a big-name player at that club, like Frank Lampard at Chelsea or Ole at Manchester United. “I just hope he doesn’t get labelled the same way I was,” added Allardyce (right). “But you can already see some pundits turning the spotlight on him and his team for being hard-working, gritty and well-organised. “Chris is so much more than that – and it’s important to keep promoting the intelligent way he’s working as a manager. He’s created systems, different ways to play and opportunity for success at every club he’s been at. His players understand each other, their opponents and their tactics, which is why they’ve learnt to beat any type of opposition with a mix of flair, commitment and attention to detail. “They are undervalued in the way they operate in and out of possession and, if they continue to stay free of injury, there’s no reason they can’t finish in a Europa League place, which would be remarkable. “Especially when Aston Villa spent £130million on eight or nine players, but Chris hardly spent anything because of ownership problems. “He had to contend with warring owners, so it’s even more of a miracle what he’s managed to do, but he will need some big financial support in the summer – and I hope he gets it. “Chris doesn’t want to be a oneseason wonder and that’s why the club have to back him. If you stand still in the Premier League, you’re finished. “He knows he has to sign better players than he’s got, but it comes down to how brave the board want to be. They should bankroll him because he’s proved he’s a top manager. “So that’s why it’s probably their challenge – more than Chris Wilder’s. We’ve seen what happens when clubs don’t invest. “Just look at Tottenham. The legacy of not properly investing for three or four windows is them falling short now.”