Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder responds after Leeds striker Patrick Bamford filmed starting ‘Wilder is a w*****’ chant | OneFootball

Chris Wilder insists there are no hard feelings between himself and Patrick Bamford after the Leeds striker was filmed starting a derogatory chant about the Sheffield United boss.

Sheffield United’s defeat to Burnley on Monday confirmed both Leeds and Burnley’s place in the Premier League next season, with Wilder’s side having to settle for the play-offs.

During Leeds’ celebrations following confirmation of their promotion, Bamford appeared to take aim at Wilder by encouraging Leeds fans to sing a negative chant about the 57-year-old.

Back in 2019, Wilder branded Bamford and some of his Leeds team-mates “muppets” during a heated race for promotion between the two sides.

But Wilder revealed he has since spoken to Bamford, who reached out to him, as well as Leeds boss Daniel Farke.

“I’m a big boy, you give it and you take it,” he said. “You give it out locally, you take it locally as I’ve always done. We have our moments, other teams have their moments.

“I had a conversation with Pat yesterday and I’ve no issue at all with it. I’m not sure about the words from a fellow pro, but I appreciate and respected him giving me a call and we had 20 minutes. I spoke to Daniel as well and had a half-hour chat with him. He’s a top guy.

“They’re a top team and a top football club. I’m a big boy.

“I would in a heartbeat have swapped our position for theirs but it isn’t the case. 94 points for both of those teams is an incredible achievement. It was a tough campaign from the off for us and we’ve kept it alive to the 44th game. But ultimately we’ve finished in the position we will.”

Wilder also agreed that football would be more boring without these types of rivalries.

“When I was playing, we used to give it and take it and it’s part and parcel of the game, even on a  Sunday morning,” he said.

“It’s part of the interesting bit of the game. Local rivalries, rivalries between teams and everything that goes with it. So I have no issue. You have to take it and get on with it and I’m absolutely cool with it, and I said that to Pat.”