Ruben Selles has been sacked as Sheffield United manager after losing all six competitive matches since taking charge. The Spaniard's tenure at Bramall Lane lasted just weeks, with his dismissal set to be confirmed this weekend.
The final straw came on Friday when Sheffield United suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat at Ipswich Town. The result left the Blades with their worst start to a Championship season in 30 years, having scored just one goal in five league matches.
Wilder's sensational comeback
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 defeat.
Sheffield United officials approached Wilder about returning after the Ipswich debacle, and he reportedly answered in the affirmative. The lure of managing his beloved club proved too strong to resist, despite the circumstances of his recent departure.
According to The Star, representatives of the COH Sports ownership group witnessed the 5-0 hammering firsthand at Portman Road. Their presence at such a disastrous performance sealed Selles' fate and prompted the immediate contact with Wilder.
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.
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."
The Star also 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.
Looking ahead
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.
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.
Sources used: "The Star", "Yorkshire Post", "Mirror" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
