THE BLADE RUNNER UP
Wilder is gaffer of the year but his gong will go to Klopp NEW BOYS WILD ON CLUB
v
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 double winner of the League Managers’ Association Manager of the Year and Championship Manager of the year last May, Wilder should be bang on course for more personal LMA glory again after an astonishing campaign so far in the Premier League with the newly-promoted Blades.
But Allardyce reckons Jurgen Klopp’s incredible performance at Liverpool’s helm over the last seven months means the Kop’s German boss could 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” says 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 Championship 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?”
Deserves
Historically, the top six jobs have gone to big-name foreign managers.
And despite believing he deserves a chance with a top-six club, Allardyce isn’t holding his breath that Wilder can break that mould – even though he’s outperforming Jose
Mourinho, Mikel Arteta and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who all sit below him in the league.
“History tells you the big clubs don’t go for managers like Chris, Shaun 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, such as Frank Lampard at Chelsea or Ole at Manchester United.
“I just hope he doesn’t get labelled the same way I was but you can already see some pundits turning the spotlight on him and his team for being hardworking, 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 the tactics they employ which is why they’ve learned to beat any type of opposition with a mix of flair,
NEW signings Richairo Zivkovic and Panos Retsos are both champing at the bit to make their mark for Sheffield United.
The high-flying Blades host Bournemouth at Bramall Lane this afternoon having already exceeded expectation in their first season back in the Premier League for 13 years.
And Dutch forward Zivkovic and Greece defender Retsos, two of five new signings ambitious boss Chris Wilder made in the January transfer window, have both bought into the blueprint for success.
“The team spirit is amazing,” revealed Retsos, 23, who joined on a six-month loan deal from Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen.
“We are like a family, from the first moment commitment and attention to detail. They are hugely under-valued 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.
Wonder
“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 already got but it comes down to how brave the Sheffield board want to be. They should bankroll him because he’s proved he’s a top manager.
“So that’s why, for me, it’s probably their challenge more than Chris Wilder’s because we’ve seen what happens when clubs don’t invest.
“Look at Tottenham. The legacy of them not properly investing for three or four windows is why they are falling short now.” we came here the guys have been great and really close to us.”
Zivkovic, 21, also joined the Blades on an initial six-month loan, from Chinese club Changchun Yatai.
“I’m just really happy the chance came,” admitted Zivkovic. “It’s a big opportunity for me, I’m just glad I’m here and not in China.
“There’s been a lot of Dutch players who have played in the Premier League and done very well. But it was Fernando Torres at Liverpool who was my idol.
“I also know quite a few Dutch players here playing in the league, so I’m looking forward to the challenge. The level is higher and I’ll have to adapt, but I’m so hungry.”