Ruben Selles has been sacked as Sheffield United manager after losing all six competitive matches since taking charge. The Spaniard's dismissal comes just weeks into his tenure at Bramall Lane, with an announcement expected this weekend.
Chris Wilder is set to make a sensational return to Sheffield United for a third spell as manager. The former boss has agreed to come back to his boyhood club just months after leaving following their play-off final appearance, with the lure of managing his beloved Blades proving too strong to resist.
Ownership witnesses humiliation
The final straw came on Friday when Sheffield United suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat at Ipswich Town. Representatives of the COH Sports ownership group witnessed the demolition firsthand at Portman Road, sealing Selles' fate and prompting immediate contact with Wilder.
Sheffield United have endured their worst start to a Championship season in 30 years, scoring just one goal in five league matches. The Blades managed their first shot on target away from home only in the second half against Ipswich, highlighting the scale of their struggles.
Recruitment and structural changes
The Yorkshire Post reports that recruitment issues, including AI-identified Bulgarian players, had caused friction during Wilder's previous tenure. This approach appears to have contributed to the club's current struggles under the new ownership structure.
The Star reports that COH Sports are privately considering installing a technical director above the manager role. This structural change would represent a significant shift in how the club operates going forward.
Selles remained defiant about his future even after the Ipswich defeat. "It doesn't matter what I believe but I will keep working until the last moment," he said. "I have to take the pain and analyse what we want for the next game."
Remarkable turnaround
Sheffield United's next match comes against Charlton Athletic at Bramall Lane next weekend. Wilder previously led the club to 92 points and a play-off final appearance earlier this summer before his departure weeks later.
The dramatic managerial change represents a remarkable turnaround for both Wilder and the club. His return offers hope to fans after the failed experiment with Selles' appointment under the COH Sports ownership that took over in December 2024.
Sources used: "The Star", "Yorkshire Post", "Mirror" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
