Reading are considering Ruben Selles for their vacant head coach position, as he prepares to depart Southampton, as reported by The Daily Mail.
Ruben Selles took charge of the Saints for the final stretch of last season, replacing Nathan Jones and was tasked with the challenge of saving the club from relegation. Ultimately, he was unable to do so despite some impressive performances, which included a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and a 3-3 draw with title chasers Arsenal and Southampton finished bottom of the league.
Selles is set to depart the Saints, with Swansea boss Russell Martin to be named the new head coach of the club and the Spaniard could return to a management role immediately with the Royals interested in giving him the opportunity to take over at the club who were relegated from League One.
Reading were relegated from the Championship last season following a points deduction and will play in the third division for the first time this century.
The club were in talks to appoint Chris Wilder as their new head coach, however, a deal failed to materialise, with the former Sheffield United boss turning down the job with the Royals. Reading have been without a permanent manager since they sacked Paul Ince last season with five games remaining in the Championship.
From bad to worse for the club too, as following their relegation, they were hit with another points deduction on Friday morning, as well as news that affects how the club can spend the money they will acquire from a recent deal to sell land.
Meanwhile, Southampton announced before the end of the season that Selles would not be taking charge of the club beyond last season and confirmed that the final day fixture against Liverpool would be his final game in charge of the Saints.
The news that Wilder had turned down the role in Berkshire came after a lack of communication from the club, as supporters anxiously awaited an update. And since then, it has also emerged that the club’s owner Dai Yongee is looking to sell the club, which he took over in 2017, coming after years of financial difficulties for the Royals.
Writer’s View
Selles has some experience in management at top flight now and that could benefit a club in the third tier, impressive performances against some of the top six in the Premier League last season could not save the Saints, but it may have been too little too late when Selles took over. The role at Reading comes with challenges, however, with the club starting with a points deduction next season.
