Sheffield Wednesday are reportedly close to appointing a former Sunderland and Manchester City figure
Former Sunderland chief Simon Wilson is reportedly close to joining Sheffield Wednesday as the club’s new sporting director.
According to The Echo’s sister title The Star, Wilson has been identified by Wednesday’s new hierarchy as the man they want to lead the football side of the club following their takeover by Arise Capital Partners. The move is not yet signed and sealed, but the 43-year-old is understood to have spent time in Sheffield this week meeting key figures at Hillsborough and has agreed the outline terms of a deal.
If completed, Wilson’s arrival would make him the second former Sunderland figure appointed by Sheffield Wednesday in recent weeks, following the arrival of David Bruce as CEO. Bruce was recently confirmed in his new role at Hillsborough after leaving Sunderland, where he had played a significant part in the club’s off-field progress during recent years.
Wilson’s Sunderland connection goes back to a very different period in the club’s recent history. He served as chief football officer on Wearside during the Martin Bain and David Moyes era, having arrived from Manchester City as the Black Cats attempted to reshape their football operations during a turbulent spell.
He was tasked with helping restructure Sunderland’s scouting, recruitment and academy services, but his time at the club came during a hugely difficult period, with Sunderland suffering relegation from the Premier League before beginning the sharp decline that eventually led to League One. Wilson’s reputation has grown considerably since then, largely because of his impressive work at Stockport County.
He initially joined Stockport as sporting director in 2019 and later held the dual role of sporting director and CEO. During his time at Edgeley Park, the club enjoyed a remarkable rise from non-league football to the top end of League One. Stockport won the National League and League Two titles during Wilson’s spell, while they finished third in League One this season and remain firmly in the promotion picture through the play-offs.
His exit from Stockport was announced at the end of April following a long-scheduled six-year review of his position with owner Mark Stott. The club confirmed he would leave by mutual consent and on excellent terms, with Stott paying tribute to the role Wilson had played in transforming Stockport’s direction.
Before his time at Stockport and Sunderland, Wilson worked across several roles within the City Football Group, primarily with Manchester City. He has also done consultancy work with UEFA and Ajax. The Star reports that Portsmouth sporting director Rich Hughes was also considered by Sheffield Wednesday, but Wilson is now the man expected to take on the role.
Wednesday’s new owners are said to have wanted someone with knowledge of League One and a track record of promotions, with the club looking to move quickly after the end of Dejphon Chansiri’s time as chairman following the Steel City club’s relegation from the Championship at the end of the current season.
Continue Reading