Chris Wilder leaves Sheffield United as Ruben Selles is appointed

Sheffield United have parted company with manager Chris Wilder and have swiftly appointed Ruben Selles as their new head coach.

The 57-year-old, who guided his hometown club from League One to the top flight at the end of the 2018-19 season, leaves Bramall Lane for a second time after failing to lead the Blades to the Premier League last season.

Wilder returned to the Blades in December 2023 after Paul Heckingbottom was sacked with the club bottom of the Premier League.

A club statement said: “Sheffield United can confirm a mutually agreed decision has been reached for manager Chris Wilder to leave the football club.

Legacy

“Chris will leave alongside coaches Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge, and in doing so depart with the best wishes and gratitude of everyone connected with Sheffield United.

“A Blade through and through, the legacy Chris and his staff have created here will never be forgotten, going right back to 2016 when he initially took the job with the club rooted in League One.

“Between 2016 and 2021, he guided the club to two promotions and a ninth-place finish in the Premier League, creating an era which will go down as one of the most fondly remembered in the club’s history.”

The statement added: “After returning to the club during a difficult period in 2023, he has provided stability and created a new team which earned a Steel City derby double amongst other notable highlights last season.

“Showing his calibre as a manager, he guided the club to (a) third-place finish, collecting 92 points, before a heartbreaking conclusion in the play-off final.

“Our owners, COH Sports, would wish to place on record our thanks to Chris and his staff for their efforts whilst at the helm and will be extending their own appreciation in due course.”

Disappointment

Under Wilder, the South Yorkshire club finished third behind Leeds United and Burnley and were beaten by Sunderland in the play-off final at Wembley despite taking the lead.

That came as a huge disappointment, with United having been heavily involved in the race for automatic promotion before winning just two of their final seven regular-season games to slip 10 points off the pace.

Former Blades defender Wilder made 126 appearances for the club in two spells during a playing career which also involved stints with Southampton, Rotherham, Notts County, Bradford, Brighton and Halifax.

American-based consortium COH Sports, who completed a takeover in December last year, had handed Wilder a new contract until the end of the 2027-28 season in January.

Blades move swiftly to acquire Selles

Shortly after confirming Wilder’s departure, the Blades announced Selles as their new head coach.

The Spaniard, who kept Hull City up last season after joining from League One play-off contenders Reading, was dismissed by the Tigers at the end of the campaign.

Now, the 42-year-old makes a swift return to management, with the Blades moving quickly to secure his services.

Another statement said: “Sheffield United have moved swiftly to fill the managerial hot seat at Bramall Lane, appointing a boss with Premier League and Championship experience.

“Rubén Sellés is the new Blades manager and moves to S2 having signed a three-year deal with the club.

“Further coaching appointments will follow in due course.”

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