Chris Wilder has expressed his condolences to Sheffield Wednesday following their relegation at the hands of Sheffield United on Sunday afternoon.

The South Yorkshire outfit has dropped in February, which is unusually early, with their 18-point deduction over the course of the season playing a key impact.

Henrik Pedersen’s squad is currently on minus seven points as a result of these penalties and their own terrible play, having lost their last ten Championship games in a row.

Their last good result was a 0-0 draw against Blackburn Rovers on December 29, meaning they have yet to win or draw in 2026.

Sheffield Wednesday is currently in administration, with a preferred bidder nominated on December 24, and a consortium led by James Bord pursuing a takeover that has yet to be resolved.

Chris Wilder reacts to Sheffield Wednesday’s relegation as Sheffield United deliver the final blow.

Wilder has stated that a Sheffield United fan will never celebrate a Sheffield Wednesday victory and vice versa, and that he expected little sympathy following the Blades’ play-off final loss last May, for example, but that he does feel sorry for the Owls.

The 58-year-old expressed sorrow for Pedersen and the squad after their relegation, stating that the team was unable to compete in the Championship this season.”I have never seen a Sheffield United fan celebrate a Sheffield Wednesday victory,” Wilder told Sky Sports.

“And I’ve never seen a Sheffield Wednesday supporter celebrate a United victory.

“I’m sure I never received any phone calls after Tommy Watson hit the ball in the bottom corner in the 97th minute at Wembley Stadium, and what transpired after that.

“This is the ruthless aspect of the job. You have to look after your own club and yourself.

“Everyone in football understands that Sheffield Wednesday were effectively relegated at the start of the season, and I feel for Henrik and the players. Relegation is never a pleasant experience.

“But the team is so raw that it’s frightening, and they go out every week and give it their all, just like today. A little more on it today. That’s how things are. That is how we are brought up.

“I don’t think any Sheffield Wednesday fan would have the effort any other way and neither would any Sheffield United fan have it any other way.”

Sheffield Wednesday will be looking for a quick resolution to the ratification process, given Bord’s aspirations to purchase the club.

The EFL must approve the takeover before it can be completed, with administrators Begbies Traynor monitoring the day-to-day operations behind the scenes in the meanwhile.

Sheffield United moved up to 14th place in the Championship after winning the Steel City Derby 2-1, thanks to goals from Patrick Bamford and Harrison Burrows.

The margin to the play-off places is currently six points, with United looking for another top six finish in the table with 13 games remaining.

Wilder was in charge of the Blades when they fell to Sunderland in the play-off final last season, and he was promptly fired after the defeat.

However, the 58-year-old was reinstated following a poor start to the season under Ruben Selles, who led the squad to five consecutive league defeats.

Sheffield Wednesday’s relegation was a long time coming; the rebuilding needs to begin as soon as James Bord arrives.

Sheffield Wednesday were almost certainly going to be relegated this season, as an 18-point deduction will destroy any team.

The Owls haven’t been good enough to earn the results that would keep them alive, and their minus seven record is an all-time low.

To be relegated at the hands of Sheffield United is a bitter twist of fate for Pedersen’s team, and fans will want to forget about the entire season.

The club’s focus will now shift to the takeover process, as they cannot begin planning for life in the League. One until that is cleared, while Sheffield United has gained momentum in their pursuit of a top-six finish.