CHRIS WILDER is incoming Sunderland owner Stewart Donald’s No1 target to replace Chris Coleman.

The Sheffield United boss, 50, only signed new terms at Bramall Lane last summer after winning promotion to the Championship.

3 Sheff United boss Chris Wilder is the new Sunderland owner's No1 choice to become manager Credit: Action Images

But Wilder is frustrated at the ongoing battle for control between joint Blades owners Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Kevin McCabe.

And SunSport understands Donald will try and poach the Yorkshireman once his takeover of League One-bound Sunderland has been approved by the EFL.

The insurance tycoon, 43, is the current chairman of non-league Eastleigh, who hosted Wilder’s Blades in a pre-season friendly last summer.

But Donald also knows Wilder from his days as Oxford boss – the club the businessman supports and once invested in.

3 New Black Cats chief Stewart Donald will attempt to poach Wilder from the Blades Credit: Getty Images - Getty

3 Donald ordered Chris Coleman, above, to be sacked before completing his takeover Credit: AP:Associated Press

Wilder’s stock has risen after flirting with the play-offs in Sheffield United’s first season back in the second tier.

He would find it a wrench to leave his boyhood club and drop down a division – but could be willing to move for the right salary and project.

Donald needs a new boss at the Black Cats after he ordered Coleman to be sacked before taking control of the club.

And SunSport has learned that decision was made largely due to the terms of the Welshman’s Sunderland deal, which still had two years left to run.

Cookie earned a pay-off of around £300,000 after current Black Cats chief executive Martin Bain – who is now set to leave the Stadium of Light - gave him the bullet on Sunday.

But a clause in Coleman’s contract meant that if the club changed hands, it would cost new owners £2million to axe him.

So Donald demanded Coleman and his No2 Kit Symons were dismissed before sealing his buy-out of Ellis Short – a deal which was agreed in principle at 4.40am on Sunday morning.

Coleman and Symons were shocked and devastated by the decision at the weekend.

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But despite being told to get on their bike, SunSport understands they are still doing a charity cycle ride next week with around 30 Sunderland staff.

The two-day 52-mile ‘Five Ferry Challenge’ around the west coast of Scotland is to raise money for the Bradley Lowery Foundation.

Coleman and Symons had committed to the ride months ago and want to fulfil their promise despite their departures.