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Selles - themaclad - 19-06-2025
Sheffield United have appointed Ruben Selles as head coach to replace the departing Chris Wilder after failing to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
Former Southampton, Reading and Hull City boss Selles, 42, was announced as the new Blades boss less than an hour after Wilder's exit was confirmed.
Sheffield United finished third in the Championship but lost to Sunderland in stoppage time in the Championship play-off final last month.
Wilder, 57, was in his second spell in charge of his boyhood team and had been looking to guide them to promotion for a third time.
The club announced his exit was "mutually agreed", with coaches Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge also leaving.
"I'm obviously disappointed to be leaving, particularly because we were so close to getting back to the Premier League," Wilder said in a statement, external issued via the club.
"I'm a Sheffielder through and through, I love this club and this city and that feeling will never change.
"I depart with some cherished memories and feel proud to be talked about in the same manner that special Sheffield United managers are remembered – leading this team over 300 times will remain an incredible part of my life."
Ruben Selles led Hull to Championship survival on goal difference after taking over in December
Selles left Sheffield United's fellow Championship side Hull in May despite leading the Tigers to survival, having taken over when the club were in the bottom three.
The Spaniard previously had two caretaker stints in the Premier League with Southampton and spent 18 months in charge of Reading before taking the Hull job.
Selles' comments upon taking the Bramall Lane role hinted that rumours of Wilder being uncomfortable with AI-led recruitment models may not be far off the mark.
"This is a very powerful and ambitious project - it was very important at the start of the conversations that everyone is on the same page," Selles said.
"We need to embrace data and new technologies, but the most important thing is not to forget the football essence.
"The fans can expect a team which is not going to wait or be reactive, we will be proactive, we are going to go and try and be as competitive as we can in every single game."