Hull City are reportedly assessing several managerial candidates, including Blackburn Rovers’ John Eustace and Reading’s Ruben Selles, as they look to find a permanent replacement for Tim Walter.
According to HullLive, the Tigers have also considered Slavisa Jokanovic, Chris Hughton, Alex Neil, and Steven Schumacher for the vacant role.
Challenges Facing Hull City
Hull are enduring a difficult season in the Championship, sitting in the relegation zone alongside Portsmouth and QPR. Without a win in their last 10 matches, the Tigers suffered another setback with a 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough in their most recent outing. Caretaker manager Andy Dawson is overseeing the team until a permanent appointment is made.
Managerial Contenders
Among the candidates reportedly being considered, Eustace has been praised for his achievements at Blackburn Rovers. He led Kidderminster Harriers from 2016 to 2018 before serving as assistant manager at Queens Park Rangers, including a stint as caretaker manager in 2019. In July 2022, he was appointed head coach of Birmingham City, where he stabilized the team and avoided relegation. However, he parted ways with the club in October 2023. In February 2024, Eustace took over as head coach of Blackburn Rovers, aiming to elevate the club’s performance in the EFL Championship
Ruben Selles has also emerged as a strong contender after a successful stint at Reading. Despite the club’s financial struggles and transfer embargoes, Selles has guided Reading to 7th place in League One, just outside the play-off spots on goal difference. He began his coaching career at 16 with Parreta CF’s youth teams and later managed the University of Valencia’s football team, achieving promotion from the Segunda Regional. Sellés served as an assistant coach at clubs including Aris Thessaloniki in Greece, Shinnik Yaroslavl in Russia, and Neftçi in Azerbaijan. In July 2018, he joined Danish club Aarhus as an assistant manager. In July 2020, Sellés returned to Spain to manage Valencia’s Juvenil B squad before moving to Denmark in January 2021 to become assistant manager at Copenhagen.
Immediate Concerns
The urgency of Hull’s managerial decision is underscored by their precarious league position and upcoming fixtures. The Tigers face Blackburn Rovers this weekend at the MKM Stadium, adding a layer of intrigue should Eustace remain in the conversation for the vacant role.
In a competitive Championship season, Hull City’s leadership faces significant pressure to secure a manager capable of stabilising the team and steering them away from the relegation zone.
Writer’s View
Hull City’s managerial search underscores the importance of experience and adaptability. Both John Eustace and Ruben Selles bring strong credentials, with proven ability to manage under challenging circumstances. However, Hull must weigh these options carefully to find a leader who can deliver immediate results and build a long-term foundation for success.
