Chris Wilder believes Sheffield United are getting him “at his best” following the 56-year-old’s re-appointment at Bramall Lane today.
Wilder returns for a second spell – his first saw him take the Blades from League One to the Premier League before being dismissed in March 2021 – following the sacking of Paul Heckingbottom in the wake of Saturday’s 5-0 hammering at fellow strugglers Burnley.
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Wilder’s first game back will be at home to Liverpool tomorrow night as he attempts to improve the club’s record this season which stands at five points from 14 games.
“I’m more enthusiastic and determined than I’ve ever been in my life,” he said.
“I think Sheffield United are getting me at my best. At times you have to feel the failure and feel the pain to make you better, and I certainly have.
“I’m not arrogant enough to not know there’s a lot of work to be put in and we’ve got to earn the trust of the players and supporters back because that is key. But for me personally, this is a huge challenge that I’m really rubbing my hands together to get back involved in and hopefully help the club get out of the position they are in.”
Back with the Bladesmen. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/1WuoO2jl04
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) December 5, 2023
He couldn’t have asked for a more difficult start with rock-bottom United facing Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
“I’m under no illusions that it’s an incredible first game to be involved in but we have the lift of 33,000 at Bramall Lane under the lights,” added Wilder.
“I said to the players, ‘look at it this way, this is a third-round FA Cup tie, what would your approach be?’ You would be looking forward to it, you would want to go and get amongst it and you would want to prove a point and go and get a big result.
“We need a huge performance. I am and always have been one for win at all costs but we’ve got to get the performance right and if we do that, then we can be competitive – and we need to be more competitive than we have been.”
Wilder has been out of management since leaving Watford at the end of last season, having spent two months with the Hornets after being sacked by Middlesbrough last October.
