Chris Wilder: Aberdeen manager candidate made for Scottish football, tactical innovator, Guardiola reference
Chris Wilder #ChrisWilder
Aberdeen are set to miss out on Chris Wilder with strong reports the former Sheffield United boss is set to take over at Watford.
The Hornets have sacked manger Slaven Bilić and his coaching staff with the team sitting ninth in the English Championship, four points off the play-off places. A statement from the club confirmed his departure following a run of just three wins since Christmas.
“We are all ambitious to succeed this season, so something new is needed quickly while the opportunity of promotion is still real,” said the club’s technical director Ben Manga. “With the January transfer window over, to change coach is the only option available to re-energise for the final games ahead.”
It has been reported Wilder is primed to replace Bilic at Vicarage Road. The 55-year-old has been out of a job since leaving Middlesbrough in October. He has been linked with the vacant managerial position at Aberdeen with reports the Dons were keen to talk to him about replacing Jim Goodwin.
Wilder has been keen to return to management in the Premier League but admitted he may have to work hard to get there. Following his departure from Sheffield United after leading the Blades to the Premier League having taken over when they were languishing in League One, he conceded that a job in the Championship would be more likely. He lasted just over a season at Middlesbrough.
“I’m a much better manager now than the one who won the LMA,” he recently said. “Miles better, there’s no way I can’t be. I’ve got people like Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Gareth Southgate as references on my CV.”