Chris Wilder
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says he was hoping to return the hospitality that Chris Wilder showed him when Sheffield United visit Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup tomorrow. Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s quarter-final clash, Tuchel said it was ‘sad’ the pair will not be meeting up.
Thomas Tuchel said “It’s a bit sad because we had a very warm welcome in Sheffield and he (Wilder) invited me to his coaching office and introduced me to his staff and it was very interesting. We had a talk for 20 minutes and he offered me a glass of wine. It was very, very nice and very unique and friendly. We got involved more about his story and the history of the club, with his strong connections. In this short time I thought it was a ‘no matter what’ situation. I’m not into the details but it is sad that we don’t meet up because it would have been down to me to invite him to my office and maybe have a still water or whatever is in the fridge. Obviously, it is not like this, but I don’t want to judge the people taking the decisions. I wish him all the best and hope he finds another challenge that suits him and shows his quality. We face the same team with a new manager, which makes it harder to prepare, but the goal remains the same.”
The Blues boss was invited into Wilder’s office following their 2-1 success at Bramall Lane last month and the pair shared a glass of wine. The German coach recalled his meeting with the former Blades boss, who departed the club last week after five years in charge, and says Wilder told him all about his story and the club’s history.
