The rumours circulated heavily on Tuesday and it’s now official. The Blades have sacked Chris Wilder:
They finished third with 90 points, but their hopes of an immediate return were shattered in the play-off final. Sunderland scored a devastating 95th-minute goal, crushing their dreams.
It was Wilder’s second stint managing his boyhood club, and he was aiming for his third promotion with them.
Despite a two-point deduction from the 2022/23 season due to transfer payment issues, they still finished 10 points behind automatic promotion winners Leeds United and Burnley. Without the deduction, that gap would’ve been eight points.
A new chapter began in December with the completion of an American consortium’s takeover. Following this, Wilder signed a three-year deal in January.
Everything seemed to be going perfectly for the Yorkshire team. With just seven games left, they were two points clear at the top of the league. But then it all fell apart: they lost four of six games in April, ultimately finishing third.
They thrashed Bristol City 6-0 in the play-off semi-finals, yet it’s now 10 attempts and zero wins in the finals. Another season in the Championship awaits, as a fan favourite departs.
WHO’S THE NEW MANAGER?
The talk was that owners COH Sports were leaning towards a data-led recruitment model and wanted to appoint their own manager ahead of next season, and one Spaniard fits the bill:
Ruben Selles, formerly the manager of Southampton and Reading, has signed a three-year deal in S2.
HISTORY OF SELLES
Last season, he managed to keep Hull City in the Championship, but only on goal difference, after taking them on when they were bottom of the Championship. Despite securing their survival, he was sacked after just five months in charge. Both Liam Rosenior’s and Ruben Selles’s recent sackings have been widely viewed as controversial decisions.
Prior to the MKM Stadium, He spent 18 months at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, navigating Reading through incredibly difficult financial circumstances. During the 2023/24 season, the club faced transfer embargoes, substantial fines, and multiple points deductions.
Youngsters impressed under 42-year-old at both the Royals and the Tigers, including Tyler Bindon (D) and Gustavo Puerta (M). In an interview with Not The Top 20 Podcast, questioned about his youth blueprint:
“It’s just my formula. Not only in football but in life, when you are organised, you spend less energy on some other things…if you are a six for us, your position is very clear in a lot of situations. Now it’s for you to develop that position…we are going to coach you and…give you the details to be better in that position.”
Given that Sheffield United has a squad full of promising young talent, including Harrison Burrows (M), Sydie Peck (M) and Andre Brooks (F), Ruben Selles’s arrival could lead to a well-needed rejuvenation, potentially ushering in a new and effective style of play.
However, question marks still remain about multiple key assets, including star midfielder Gustavo Hamer (M) and defender Anel Ahmedhodzic (D).
Their season likely hinges on the performance of key players, making recruitment crucial for Selles, who faces the challenging task of succeeding a local legend.
