New Season, New Manager

[rifleman_lincoln]

New Season, New Manager

Just posting this here for my own record / thoughts. It’s a bit long, so no need to read if you’re not interested. Let’s just say it’s good to have a new broom!



The “official” notices put out by Sheffield United are included below, but firstly just a few thoughts of my own:

I’ll always be incredibly grateful for the work Chris Wilder did at Sheffield United during his two stints with us, but I’m also incredibly grateful that the new owners have put their heads above the parapet, cleared out the dinosaur in the room and decided to move ahead in running the Club as a business. I think they are taking a gamble but it’s one I’m very happy to go along with.

It's been revealed through various sources, that Chris Wilder had a finger in every pie at the Club – his title was Manager, but he was dealing with finance, transfers, players, recruitment, press and just about everything else you could name. And obviously no successful business can have a one-man figurehead with his fingerprints on every aspect.

I also find the notion that only someone who “gets the club” can manage, scout, analyse data and coach for the club, to be somewhat bizarre. I don’t think any other professional club in England functions like that do they? Sheffield United is very special to us – the fans – but the club is not “special” in and of itself. A good coach is a good coach because he’s worked hard and gained experience and respect, not because of his place of birth.

So although I’m very grateful to Chris Wilder for giving me some of the best times I’ve ever experienced as a Sheffield United supporter, football moves on. The club existed before him and it will continue to exist after. I don’t think this sacking should necessarily be framed as Wilder having ‘failed’ somehow, but more of an opportunity to part ways, with a belief from the new owners that we can become better. It’s a move that looks to progress from a Manager who is a club legend, has had a very successful career, but ultimately after approximately a thousand games at various clubs, is probably not going to evolve beyond who he is now.

Anyway, I’m very willing to see how the gamble plays out. Hand me a season-ticket’s worth of casino chips and deal me in!

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Here are the official notices put out by the Club:


Message from the Board:

Dear Blades,

Today is the start of a new chapter for Sheffield United.

After deep reflection and with the utmost respect, we have mutually agreed that Sheffield United and Chris Wilder will part ways.

Chris is a true Blade through and through whose passion and leadership helped define a remarkable era. His achievements are etched in the fabric of this club: from guiding us to promotion from League One, to an unforgettable ninth-place finish in the Premier League, to steadying us through challenges with resilience and pride.

This season, he once again reminded us of his calibre by rallying the squad to a strong finish - only for it to end in devastating heartbreak at Wembley. It was a painful conclusion, but also a testament to how far he brought this group. Chris led with heart, with grit, and with a fierce commitment to the values of this city. We will forever be grateful for his contributions and wish him and his family nothing but success in his next chapter.

Looking ahead, we are delighted that Rubén Sellés will take over as first team manager.



Rubén is a culture setter and represents a new direction. His work to date in England and in Europe has marked him as one of the more promising and progressive coaching talents. He demands intensity in execution and an attacking style of play - qualities we believe are essential for our club's long-term ambitions.

Rubén understands the power of potential and how to unlock it. How to grow players who can grow with the team. His ability to integrate academy talent, employ innovative recruitment and analytic strategies, play an exciting brand of football, and adapt dynamically to the modern game, are all tenets we believe that the next great chapter of Sheffield United football will be built upon.

As owners, please know that we remain unwavering in our goal: to see Sheffield United not only return to the Premier League, but to establish ourselves as a club that can compete consistently at a high level.

This decision has not been made lightly. We are setting a new course - one built for the future, rooted in our identity, and aimed squarely at bringing sustainable success to your city.
To our supporters: thank you for your unwavering loyalty and belief. You are absolutely vital to our ability to succeed and we know you will give Rubén full backing.

The road ahead may require patience, but also promises excitement, growth, and a footballing identity that reflects both our history and our ambition.

Up the Blades!


A Message from Chis Wilder:

It is with great regret that my time at Sheffield United has come to an end.

I'd like to thank Stephen Bettis and Prince Abdullah for bringing me back to the club and giving me the opportunity to rebuild the team and take this great club forward. I'd also like to thank all the staff at the club, everyone behind the scenes that you don't often see, and, of course, the players who put in a monumental effort last season, it has been a pleasure working with you, your desire and commitment was unquestionable and I have no doubt you will have great success in the future.

To the fans, I'm obviously disappointed to be leaving, particularly because we were so close to getting back to the Premier League. 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. This is a heartfelt thank you for all your support.

Lastly, I'd like to wish Steven Rosen, Helmy Eltouky and the board all the very best moving forward.

Up The Blades.


Ruben is our Man:

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.

Spaniard Sellés successfully kept Hull City in the Championship last season, despite taking over with the club bottom of the league, with an impressive win against United key to their survival.

Prior to his arrival on Humberside, he led Reading impressively despite a lengthy period of off the field turmoil, leaving the Royals in sixth place in League One.

His coaching CV is extensive, and includes working in the Premier League with Southampton, whilst he also boasts a background across several areas of the game.

On his arrival, our new boss said: "When we first heard about the possibility of coming here, it was a no brainer for us to join a club with this kind of history and with a mission to move forward and try to be even more competitive.

"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.

"We need to embrace data and new technologies, but the most important thing is not to forget the football essence. I think we are capable of delivering a good model and optimise our performance by using all the tools that we have.

"Our identity is always very clear. We want to be aggressive, we want to make things happen. So, 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. If we can do that then we'll give ourselves a very good chance of winning games."

Born in Marxalenes, a neighbourhood in Valencia, Sellés played for local side Parreta CF before a short stint with Burjassot. At the age of just 16, he was already coaching youth sides locally.

In 2002, Sellés entered the University of Valencia and enjoyed a promotion as coach of the organisation's football team.

Academically, Sellés has a Master's degree in Sports & Physiology and furthered his CV when graduating from UEFA's Pro Licence programme when he was just 25.

Sellés has enjoyed a wide range of coaching experiences during stints in Greece, Russia, Azerbaijan, Norway - where he combined his coaching role as head of analysis - Denmark and Spain prior to coaching and managing in the Premier League with Southampton followed by stints with Reading and most recently Hull.

There will be a full interview with Rubén available shortly with further communication from our owners COH Sports.

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So . . . roll on the new season, with a roll of the dice!