Reading manager Ruben Selles has refused to rule out his exit from the club amid rumours linking him with the vacant position at Cardiff City.
The Bluebirds have endured a torrid start to the season. They made the decision to part company with Erol Bulut after picking up just one point from their opening six games, just two months after handing the 49-year-old a new two-year contract.
Things have improved under the interim stewardship of Omer Riza. They secured their first win with a narrow 1-0 victory over Millwall at the beginning of the month before earning a 1-1 draw with Bristol City before the international break. However, they still remain bottom of the table.
Cardiff are keen to make an appointment before Championship football resumes next weekend. A number of candidates have been linked, including former West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic and ex-Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele. Another said to be high on the agenda is Reading’s Ruben Selles.
The 41-year-old has done a sterling job at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, despite an array of off-field obstacles that he has had to contend with. Reading’s ownership battle has been well-documented, resulting in debacles such as various point deductions, relegations, unpaid wages and transfer embargos.
Selles has managed to keep the club’s head above water though, securing a 17th place finish in League One last season. As such, he has become a huge fan favourite with the Royals’ supporters.
Having performed admirably in such difficult circumstances, it is no surprise to see the former Southampton manager consistently linked with other clubs. Cardiff are the latest, with Wales Online claiming earlier this week that he is one of a number of candidates being considered.
Speaking at a recent charity event, via Reading Chronicle, Selles addressed the rumours:
“The ‘project’ is some word that is not the case of what we’re doing right now- we are surviving. In December last year, I forfeited my wages and there was no money to pay the technical staff fully before Christmas.
“I told my agent that you need to keep an eye in case somebody asks because we don’t know where this situation is going. I have my compromise; I think my compromise with Reading fans and the club cannot be doubted.
“When it’s about other clubs, I let my agent talk because if the moment arrives tomorrow, in two months or in a year, the first thing I would like to be is respectful to Reading.
“Right now, we are just surviving here, and I am giving 100 per cent every time but I don’t know what the future is going to be for Reading or myself because the situation is not sustainable in the long-term.”
Reading currently sit 16th in League One and will return to action against Crawley Town following the international break.
Writer’s View
It’s amazing that Ruben Selles still remains at Reading. After everything he has been put through since joining the club in 2023, few would have blamed him for walking away. On top of that, the job he has performed at the Select Car Leasing Stadium has been phenomenal and it is a testament to his character that he has seen it through so far.
Selles has built up a fantastic relationship with the Royals’ supporters and it is clear that he only remains because of them. However, the ongoing debacle caused by Dai Yongge and co means that speculation regarding their manager’s future will always be at the forefront of the conversation. Despite all that, the Spaniard has always been open and honest regarding his future and even now, he still talks about being respectful to the Reading fans. Cardiff may come and go, but surely it is only a matter of time before he jumps ship.
Head of Writing