Chris Wilder: The Sheffield United manager’s biggest strengths and the secrets behind his success, according to former player
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was dubbed the manager of the century by fellow coach Phil Brown in October 2017.It seemed a pretty outlandish claim at the time but given Wilders Sheffield United will be playing in the Premier League next season the Blades second promotion in the space of three seasons its definitely not the most outrageous claim made in football.Wilder and his beloved Blades will take part in the Premier League next seasonGetty Images - Getty5
Wilder and his beloved Blades will take part in the Premier League next season
Wilder has had brilliant success elsewhere guiding Oxford United back into the Football League in 2010 and stabilising them in League Two before getting Northampton Town promoted into League One in 2016.To a casual observer Wilder may seem like a normal bloke, born and bred in Stocksbridge, Sheffield but these achievements are far from normal.But what is Wilder the man like and what are the secrets behind his managerial successes?talkSPORT.com had a chat with Ryan Clarke, who played as a goalkeeper under Wilder at Oxford and Northampton in the seasons where both sides got promoted. You didnt want to cross him, Clarke recalls of his earliest memory of Wilder.Clarke, who’s now at National League South club Bath City, arrived at the Kassam Stadium in May 2009 from Salisbury City and admits he wasnt aware at first that the plan was to win promotion back into the Football League at Oxford. He soon learnt.Intense training sessions with very high standards no one was allowed to slack off. And if you didnt buy into Wilders methods, you were gone.Bob Mills pays an emotional tribute to Justin Edinburgh However, Wilder was not just the strict enforcer at Oxford.Clarke adds: He was a mans man really. He was up for a laugh and a joke. As long as you do things properly hell look after you. But he could be quite ruthless.He got the best out of me as a player.talkSPORT.com spoke to Clarke, who played under Wilder at Oxford and NorthamptonGetty Images - Getty5
talkSPORT.com spoke to Clarke, who played under Wilder at Oxford and Northampton
One of his strong points is that he knew the players on the other teams inside-out. Wed do tactical stuff towards the end of the week and wed know the other players inside-out. His knowledge of the league, even in League Two was very good.One of his favourite sayings was if you lose one or two, you certainly dont lose three. I dont think we ever did that [lose three in a row] because he always got the right sort of players in.And in May 2010, it was mission accomplished for Oxford as they got back into the Football League four years after being relegated with a 3-1 victory over York City in the play-off final, leaving the Yellows faithful with memories that will last a lifetime.Wilder was unable to get Oxford up another league but his talents were not going unnoticed and he became manager of Northampton in January 2014, bringing Clarke with him in July 2015.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
  • Belgium vs Scotland – Euro 2020 qualifier – (Tuesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
  • Hungary vs Wales – Euro 2020 qualifier – (Tuesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
  • Japan vs Scotland – Women’s World Cup – (Friday, 2pm) – talkSPORT 2
  • England vs Argentina – Women’s World Cup – (Friday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
The Cobblers could have been forgiven for failing to produce on the pitch as in October 2015, HM Revenue and Customs came knocking at Sixfields Stadium with a winding up petition over unpaid taxes.All that uncertainty at the club could have taken its toll on the players and manager.In the end, Northampton won League Two in the 2015/16 campaign, finishing the season on 99 points.Clarke said: That never really affected us to be fair. There was stuff going on in the background but the players just got on with it.We had a very experienced squad [at Northampton] with a lot of promotion experience within the team. Because the team was doing so well, Chris didnt actually have to manage the team a lot because the boys were just taking care of it and it just snowballed.But at the same time the reason that was the case is because he brought the right sort of players in.Clarke holds the League Two trophy after Northampton’s brilliant 2015/16 season on the pitchGetty Images - Getty5
Clarke holds the League Two trophy after Northampton’s brilliant 2015/16 season on the pitch
However, that summer Wilder and Northampton would part company because the manager received an offer from boyhood club Sheffield United. He couldnt refuse it.Its been a whirlwind at Brammall Lane over the last three seasons and now the Blades find themselves in the big time once again.But what is Wilders biggest strength?Clarke said: Probably his man-management how to get the best out of players. He knows which ones need a kick up the backside, the ones that need an arm around them and the ones that he just needs to leave alone.His man-management is very good and I think thats going to stand in him in good stead going into the Premier League because youve got to be able to man-manage players on huge amounts of money and its a big jump up. Thats a massive thing in todays game.Clarke believes Wilder’s brilliant man-management skills helps him get the best out of his playersGetty Images - Getty5
Clarke believes Wilder’s brilliant man-management skills helps him get the best out of his players
And can Wilder keep Sheffield United in the top flight?Clarke added: Itll be a tough ask but yeah I think he can. If theres one thing he can do its when things arent going well its getting his team back on track.Thats another thing hes very good at. That might be crucial because its going to be a hell of a tough season for them.Ive not been in and around the changing rooms [at Sheffield United] but you can imagine the sorts of things that are going on and Im sure hes gone about his business in a similar way to what hes done in the past because its worked well.Chris Wilder celebrates promotion with Sheffield UnitedGetty Images5
Chris Wilder celebrates promotion with Sheffield United
So whether Wilder can get Sheffield United to make the jump into becoming an established Premier League side remains to be seen.But its clear hes as ready as hell ever be for that challenge because he can do a little bit of everything.
Solskjaer won the Champions League with United as a player, and he hopes to do the same as manager

West Bromwich Albion 1-3 Brighton and Hove Albion (aet): Glenn Murray strikes from the bench to set up FA Cup tie with Derby County. where a home tie against Derby County awaits them. 2.
~ West Bromwich Albion 1-3 Brighton and Hove Albion (aet
Tom Trybull added the third

LISTEN. Race had nothing to do with Brighton sacking Chris Hughton, insists Darren Moore Former West Brom boss insists there are 'ample opportunities' for BAME managers in the English game
NewsNow: Darren Moore news | Breaking News & Search 24/7
Gerrard coached Brewster when he was manager of Liverpool’s Under-18 side last season

Home / I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! / I'm A Celebrity: Fans call for Harry Redknapp to be crowned JUNGLE KING as he and Noel Edmonds win all 11 stars in most GRUESOME Bushtucker Trial ever
Jamie Redknapp pumps fist as he celebrates dad Harry's I'm A
Aaron Ramsey will bid farewell to Arsenal in the summer for a new adventure in Italy

The nominations for the PFA player of the year award have been announced - and there are no Tottenham players among the six-man shortlist. But former Spurs star Jermaine Jenas says he feels there should have been, such has been the form of South Korean star Son Heung-min.
Tottenham ace Heung-Min Son crowned Premier League Player of
thesportsnewsking.com/tottenham-ace-heung-min-son-crowned-premier-league-player-of-the-year-at-london-football-awards/
Heung-Min Son has been tipped for the PFA Player of the Year award Son's 16 goals and nine assists in 34 matches has helped Tottenham to third in the Premier League and on the brink of a place in the Champions League last eight.
PFA Premier League Player Of The Year Nominees Revealed
sportsmillcity.com/2019/04/pfa-premier-league-player-of-the-year-nominees-revealed/
Tottenham are the Premier League's top scorers in away matches this season with 33 goals. An award to recognise the efforts of some of the Premier League's most promising youngsters, the nominees for the "Young Player of the Year" have also been released.
Heung-Min Son Player of the Year? talkSPORT's Adrian Durham
Lacazette is a target for Barcelona

Tony Cascarino believes Alexis Sanchez is a bigger problem for Manchester United than Mesut Ozil is for Arsenal. Both players are their club's highest earners but have struggled for form and regular playing time this season.
One Manchester United player faces huge battle after latest
The current Kilmarnock boss has a wealth of experience as a manager and an assistant

Switzerland vs England live on talkSPORT: Free commentary stream and confirmed teams for Nations League clash 12 hours ago The Three Lions now take on Switzerland in the third place play-off after they were beaten by Portugal in their clash in Porto on Wednesday.
Scott Wagstaff was in the barbers chair for almost an hour

Oliver Skipp: Tottenham midfielder praised by fans for impressing on full debut vs Burnley. The 18-year-old made his first ever start for Spurs on Saturday afternoon. By Billy Hawkins
Oliver Skipp: Tottenham midfielder praised by fans for
Wes Hoolahan helped Norwich to victory over Wigan in 2011

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino met the press earlier today ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash against Watford. Both sides meet at Vicarage Road going into the game with 100% records from their opening three matches. Pochettino had plenty to say with questions fired at him from the
Video: Mauricio Pochettino's press conference in full ahead
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock has been left stunned by the events surrounding Sala’s disappearance

Manuel Pellegrini has urged West Ham's disgruntled fans to lay off out-of-sorts striker Marko Arnautovic. The Austrian forward's form has slumped since he tried to engineer a move to China in
West Ham's Marko Arnautovic must focus, says Manuel
Llorente scored the crucial goal to send Spurs through

Harry Kane starts for Tottenham Hotspur against Burnley after following the 4-0 loss to Bournemouth with a humiliating 6-0 defeat at City which leaves the Blues outside the Champions League
Tottenham news live: Rabiot to be sold to 'friend', why Spurs
Many have questioned N’Golo Kante’s role in this Chelsea system

Jermain Defoe is confident that Rangers can put pressure on Celtic in the race for the title. (h/t The Scottish Sun) The Light Blues trounced Hamilton 5-0 in yesterday's Premiership game in
Jermain Defoe can be signing that wins Rangers title says
Gracia could well be boosted by the return of Tom Cleverly

CONFIRMED United entertain Barca in the first leg of their quarter-final tie and here are the confirmed teams for both sides Marcus Rashford has been passed fit for Manchester United's Champions League match against Barcelona as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has handed him a place in the starting XI.
Marcus Rashford starts Champions League clash, ex-Liverpool
Terry Venables was the manager at Leeds in 2002

Miguel Almiron insists it is an "honour" to be Newcastle United's first club-record signing in 13-and-a-half years - and claims he does not feel any pressure because of the significant price tag.
Miguel Almiron says he dreams of 'achieving something big
The Spaniard will certainly stay in goal under Pochettino

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been warned by the Football Association about his behaviour during Thursday's 2-1 victory against Liverpool. An animated Guardiola threw his scarf to the ground and shouted at fourth official Martin Atkinson after a decision had gone against his team in the second half.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola warned by FA after
Solskjaer and Guardiola go head to head in the Premier League tonight

LIVE on talkSPORT - free stream, date, kick-off time and more; League Two play-off final: When is Newport vs Tranmere? LIVE on talkSPORT - free stream, date, kick-off time and more; Championship play-off final: When is Aston Villa vs Derby? LIVE on talkSPORT - free stream, date, kick-off time and more
talkSPORT coverage of Aston Villa vs Derby: Championship play