Chris Wilder’s job at Sheffield United is under serious threat with growing speculation that the experienced Blades boss will be sacked in the next few days – and it could be good news for Hull City.
Despite his side clocking up 92 points in the Championship, it was not enough to seal promotion after a poor run of form in the final weeks of the season culminated in a dramatic play-off final defeat to Sunderland at Wembley.
The COH Sports group who own United, handed Wilder a three-year contract in January, looks set to make a change in the dugout at Bramall Lane.
United under Wilder are one of the clubs keen on signing Oliver McBurnie after he opted to leave Las Palmas following their relegation from La Liga, with Swansea City in the hunt.
Speculation grew earlier this month after United’s social media account teased out a host of content celebrating his 29th birthday, with many believing the Blades were teeing up an announcement of his return just 12 months after he left for the Canary Islands.
No agreement with United and the forward has been struck with McBurnie keen to enjoy a family holiday before turning his focus to sorting out his future.
City remain firmly in the hunt to bring in the Scotland international on a free transfer and believe they have a strong chance of getting a deal done, with McBurnie set to hold talks with new head coach Sergej Jakirovic.
While Wilder may have been keen on bringing back McBurnie on a free transfer, it’s unlikely the Blades’ data-driven approach would see them strike a move for a player whom they originally paid £20m for when he joined from Swansea in 2020.
“I had a conversation with Oli this afternoon. We tried our best to offer and persuade him, but he’s made the decision to go to Spain. Wish him all the best. A great boy, a great character. He had a tough decision to make, we feel as a club we did as much as we possibly could, Oli had a couple of offers and he’s decided to take that challenge of playing abroad,” Wilder said at the end of last season when McBurnie opted to leave Sheffield for Spain.
Wilder remains a big fan of the former Leeds United man, but his exit from the Steel City would likely end any lingering hope of a reunion and leave City to battle Swansea for the striker.
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