Patrick Bamford Signs With the Blades After Leading Derogatory Chants Targeting Coach Wilder
The striker has joined Sheffield United only half a year after instigating insulting chants targeting their manager, Chris Wilder.
The 32-year-old forward, a free agent since leaving Leeds, has put pen to paper on a contract with the Championship strugglers until January. His seven-year time with Leeds was ended by mutual consent in August.
One of Bamford’s final notable acts while at Leeds involved leading offensive chants regarding Wilder during Leeds' promotion celebrations this spring. Currently, the one-cap England player is set to play for Wilder as the Blades’ manager looks to lift his beloved club out of the drop zone.
Previous Conflict Involving the Striker & the Manager
Both men had a past prior to Leeds earned promotion back to the top flight the previous campaign and United lost the promotion decider by Sunderland. The manager described Bamford as a "muppet" back when the roles were reversed in 2018-19 and Sheffield United won automatic promotion while Leeds fell short in the promotion playoffs.
Making Amends & Moving Forward
All seems to have been resolved with Sheffield United, the league's lowest scorers, in desperate need of a boost in attack and Bamford aiming to resurrect his playing days.
The song about Wilder went viral in April. An apologetic Patrick along with Leeds boss, Daniel Farke, called the Sheffield United manager the next day.
Chris Wilder commented back then: “Spoke with Pat recently and I’ve no problem whatsoever with it. I'm uncertain regarding the words used from a fellow professional! But I appreciated and respected him calling me.
“We spent a short while and similarly I talked with Daniel as well and had a half-hour chat together and he's a super guy, a top guy. When I was playing we would give it and take it and that is an integral part of football at every level, even on a Sunday morning. I have no problem at all. I am cool with it and I told him that to Pat.”
Latest Playing Challenges
The forward made 18 appearances for Leeds in the previous campaign however the former Forest, Chelsea & Boro player has struggled with injury in recent years.
