Sheffield United have entered into advanced talks with Ruben Selles, with the Spaniard set to succeed Chris Wilder, according to Football Insider.
Rumours of Wilder’s impending exit from Bramall Lane have been circulating for the past week. It was first claimed at the end of last month that the Blades were considering axing their current manager, but that speculation increased a notch when both Miguel Delaney and John Percy reported that the end was nigh for the 57-year-old last Thursday.
Although the weekend brought no further developments, Sky Sports claimed earlier today that an end-of-season review by owners COH Sports had concluded that a change in the dugout was needed. This came despite the former Middlesbrough boss guiding the club to a 90 point finish last season, missing out on promotion thanks to a 95th minute winner from Sunderland’s Tommy Watson in the play-off final last month.
Selles Set For Return To Management
Journalist Alan Nixon wrote at the weekend that former Wolverhampton boss Gary O’Neil was the favourite to land the job, although ex-Hull City coach Ruben Selles was also under consideration. O’Neil fell out of the running earlier today, but it has now emerged that Selles is in advanced talks with the Yorkshire-based side over the role.
The 42-year-old rose to prominence at Reading, where he stabilised the club on the pitch despite their well documented off field issues. This earned him a move to Championship strugglers Hull City in December, where he was tasked with keeping the Tigers in the division.
Former Hull and Reading boss Ruben Selles is in advanced talks to replace Chris Wilder as Sheffield United’s new manager. #sufc #twitterblades pic.twitter.com/9dBayNPn8S
— Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) June 17, 2025
A final day draw with Portsmouth saw him achieve that aim. However, it still wasn’t enough for Selles to keep his job and he departed the MKM Stadium after just six months. Despite that, his reputation remains in tact and it looks as if he is set for an immediate return to the dugout.
Writer’s View
Sheffield United’s move to bring in Ruben Selles makes Hull’s decision to sack the Spaniard last month look even more perplexing. Although he achieved Championship survival by the skin of his teeth, he did so without having a chance to restructure the squad to his liking and there are many that thought he should have been given the opportunity to lead the Tigers into next season. It appears as if he will now be in charge of a team that will be fighting for not only an automatic promotion spot, but the title itself. Football’s a funny old game…
