Declan Carr

Thu 12 June 2025 11:45, UK

Portsmouth could receive a boost as Chris Wilder looks set to leave Sheffield United.

The 57-year-old led the Blades to a third-place finish in the Championship, narrowly missing out on promotion to Burnley and Leeds United.

His side fell to defeat in the play-off final, meaning that they would not return to the Premier League and would remain in the second tier.

Wilder set for Sheffield United exit

Wilder returned to the Bramall Lane outfit in December 2023 after originally leading them to the top-flight in 2019 before leaving in March 2021.

The Independent journalist Miguel Delaney reported (12 June) that he could be set to depart once again after the play-off failure.

It states that disputes over recruitment and other issues could spell the end for the veteran manager.

Portsmouth will be glad Wilder is gone

If the Fratton Park outfit are in a promotion battle this season, which remains to be seen, the Blades losing Wilder will be a huge positive.

The veteran knows how to secure promotion and will be a huge loss to the play-off final losers if he departs.

The sides faced off twice last season and Pompey failed to win on both occasions, securing a 0-0 draw in September at home before losing 2-1 away in February.

Wilder praised John Mousinho’s side for surviving relegation at the end of the season and there is every chance that they can climb the table next season after finding their feet in the division.

How far they can go up it, nobody knows right now, it probably depends on how much the Eisners are willing to back the 39-year-old in the transfer market this summer.

They need to do exactly that, as with the right players, there is no telling how far the former Burton Albion man can take the PO4 outfit after ensuring that they stayed in the second tier last time out.

If they fail to do so, it may tempt Mousinho to look for a new job, and a vacancy at a top side, like the one that Wilder is potentially leaving, may be too good to turn down.