Chris Wilder sacked by Middlesbrough one year after wanting Newcastle job

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In October 2021, Chris Wilder wanted to be Newcastle United manager. In October 2022, the 55-year-old has been sacked by Middlesbrough.

The former Sheffield United boss was relieved of his duties on Monday morning, after Boro lost 1-0 to bottom of the league Coventry City on Saturday.

The defeat left Wilder’s side in 22nd place, sitting in the relegation zone due to goal difference. Directly above them is West Brom, where ex-Toon boss Steve Bruce is severely struggling himself.

While Bruce is fighting for his job, Wilder is now out of work. And that is the exact situation both were in 12 months ago.

Chris Wilder wanted to replace Steve Bruce at Newcastle

This time last year, Newcastle were in turmoil. After seven Premier League games, the Magpies were winless. Bruce’s side had just lost 2-1 to Wolves in the pouring rain, on an afternoon where a lot of supporters accepted that relegation was inevitable.

Calls for Bruce to be sacked were endless, but Mike Ashley was unwilling to pay him off. The Sports Direct man had checked out, pinning his hopes on a £305million takeover that seemed no closer to completion.

While Newcastle were not going to sack Bruce, there were plenty of out of work managers keen to replace him. And one of them was Wilder.

The Chronicle reported on October 3rd 2021 that he ‘would love a crack’ at being Newcastle manager and would apply if it became available.

Given how desperate the situation was with Bruce in charge, fans certainly would have welcomed Wilder at St James’ Park. He worked wonders with Sheffield United, and would at least have been a fresh face in the Toon dugout.

But four days after it was claimed Wilder wanted the job, everything changed at Newcastle. While Bruce was still in the hot seat, Ashley was gone.

Takeover arguably cost Wilder any chance of managing Newcastle

A whirlwind 24 hours saw the Saudi-backed takeover approved, and Amanda Staveley and co were finally able to call themselves Newcastle owners.

The change of ownership was the beginning of the end for Bruce, who managed Newcastle just one more time. After the Tottenham defeat, he was sacked.

And while Wilder was probably still keen, the Magpies had loftier expectations. Plenty of names were linked, from Lucien Favre to Paulo Fonseca.

In the end, it came down to Unai Emery and Eddie Howe. Newcastle wanted the former, made a mess of it, and ended up with the latter.

While the decision process was slightly farcical, the new Toon chiefs ended it with a fantastic appointment. Howe has been wonderful as Newcastle manager, and continues to go from strength to strength.

As for Wilder, he is now out of work. He has been linked with the Bournemouth job, but that might be dependent on a takeover at Dean Court.

How different things could have been for Wilder had Ashley allowed him to replace Bruce just before PIF were allowed to buy the club. A sliding doors moment, but one Newcastle fans wouldn’t change.