Ruben Selles v's Chris Wilder

[Millhousesblade1889]

In reflecting upon all of this, I keep coming back to the biggest complaint we all had during the season and I personally think it may have cost Wilder his job: our tactical makeup, lack of a decisive plan B, a (truthfully) limited aggressive forward plan, and, finally, not being able to decisively kill teams off, all culminating in the week from Hell....

I honestly don't know how I feel about the change of managers but if the new manager can bring a new focus of forward play, decisive passing from back to front, a clear Plan A and Plan B, and a team that scares the shit out of opponents, then, in the long run, a new manager is the right move.

It all, alas, comes down to the week from Hell and our inability to kill teams where needed to.

toledo

The amount of games we nervously held on to 1-0 wins & often we said ‘if that was a Premiership game we’d have been beaten 3/4-0 today’.

Wilder had to build a new squad in the summer, deal with the ownership issues & he got over 90pts.

I think where the owners would have struggled with him long term is Wilders stubbornness to play his own players, he’s not well know for improving young players & it’s clear to see the direction we’re going in with our recent recruitment.

Ultimately I think if he wasn’t sacked today it wouldn’t have been long until he was, the owners probably thought get on with it now while we’ve got parachute money and the opportunity to back the new man with their input.

 

[Nick Jansky]

No, I genuinely can't see it. Make all the excuses for him you want, but the fact remains he was sacked by a club that narrowly avoided relegation. How he can then get a job with a club that narrowly failed to get promotion is beyond me

As I say, I Hope im wrong, but if he is being appointed, I really can't see why. One would think they're be no shortage of contenders of a job with a club with a good chance of promotion. Why appoint someone Hull thought wasn't good enough?

There is a huge difference between being deemed not good enough by the Hull chairman (who also thought Rosenior not good enough) and not being good enough.

He took Hull forward in the very short time he was there. They were rock bottom when he took them over and improved them substantially.

Have you actually watched his teams play much?

 

[wak1889]

He's the most successful manager, with a palindromic surname to ever manage in the championship, so I'm all for it

 

[loyalblade95]

I don't really watch other teams and my memory is terrible.

If we look at his time at Hull, which players did he have there that would get into our squad?

Its less about his previous success or lack of it, and more about whether he would get better results and performances out of our squad/academy?

Louie Barry probably, might have been better at Hull had he not got injured.

That CB Charlie Hughes (who they signed from Wigan) would get in.

 

[Blacksea]

Talks a good game,says all the right things tactically,loads of experience in all sorts of different football environments around Europe behind the scenes,knows a lot of people and contacts in the football world,time on his side age wise.
It's a bit of a gamble,but at this level,so are a lot of things.

A powerful idea - Coaches' Voice

Reading manager Rubén Sellés gives the context behind getting his team to grow into the challenge of League One football, amid off-pitch chaos

learning.coachesvoice.com

 

[MayorOJC]

No, I genuinely can't see it. Make all the excuses for him you want, but the fact remains he was sacked by a club that narrowly avoided relegation. How he can then get a job with a club that narrowly failed to get promotion is beyond me

As I say, I Hope im wrong, but if he is being appointed, I really can't see why. One would think they're be no shortage of contenders of a job with a club with a good chance of promotion. Why appoint someone Hull thought wasn't good enough?

Wilder's last proper job before us had him 22nd with a strong Middlesborough team. Can't compare achievements when the clubs are stratospherically different in terms of finances and expectations.

 

[AnstonBlade1]

Whichever way you look at it it’s a dreadful appointment and shows the owners know nothing.

 

[Cheesebored]

If it's happened and it looks like it has, it's a poor decision. I'd have understood it more if he'd been sacked after promotion as daft as that sounds. PL seemed a step too far but he's proven at getting teams up or as near to damn it from the Championship. Whoever is appointed needs time and a bit of patience from fans. He'll have his work cut out to achieve anywhere near Wilders performance. For the record I loved his 10 minute rant after the game at Hillsborough. Not a false word spoken.

 

[Nick Jansky]

If it's happened and it looks like it has, it's a poor decision. I'd have understood it more if he'd been sacked after promotion as daft as that sounds. PL seemed a step too far but he's proven at getting teams up or as near to damn it from the Championship. Whoever is appointed needs time and a bit of patience from fans. He'll have his work cut out to achieve anywhere near Wilders performance. For the record I loved his 10 minute rant after the game at Hillsborough. Not a false word spoken.

Wilder has managed 3 championship teams and had just the one promotion from it.

He leaves us with a record of two promotions and two relegations.

 

[N20 Blade]

The only positive, I can draw, is that they were very impressive in January when they beat us. Up until then, only Sunderland had really had a go at us (maybe Plymouth, but they never looked like scoring). If he maintains a front foot attacking philosophy, that will entertain us more. Whether it will get us promoted, I don't know.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Whichever way you look at it it’s a dreadful appointment and shows the owners know nothing.

Talks a good game,says all the right things tactically,loads of experience in all sorts of different football environments around Europe behind the scenes,knows a lot of people and contacts in the football world,time on his side age wise.
It's a bit of a gamble,but at this level,so are a lot of things.

A powerful idea - Coaches' Voice

Reading manager Rubén Sellés gives the context behind getting his team to grow into the challenge of League One football, amid off-pitch chaos

learning.coachesvoice.com

Great read that

 

[Cheeky Blade]

Unless the new manager is from the lower leagues they’re going to have a worse record than Wilder. I expect a manager such as Selles fits in more with the ‘ai’ system and processes the owners want to move forwards with?

 

[Montytheblade]

Ruben Selles on FM with 15m. Shite, Selles Out

 

[Rodley]

Wilder had a high floor but limited ceiling. That floor would get you well in the mix for automatic promotion, but his limitations perhaps couldn’t get us that next step.

Selles has a lower floor, but a higher ceiling. He talks well and will shake things up a bit. He’s also got a very good record of developing young players. It could be a great appointment, but ultimately he needs to get automatic promotion next season for it to be successful.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

I have no issue with Selles so long as she brings Steffi Graff and Gabriela Sabatini.

His brother Peter was a hoot. I loved all that bumbling inspector stuff.

 

[Chimpan-A]

His brother Peter was a hoot. I loved all that bumbling inspector stuff.

See my earlier hilarious post!

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

See my earlier hilarious post!

Indeed. I am chuckling retrospectively.

 

[Crabstick]

If he can get more than a turgid 1-0 out of us then he gets my backing.

 

[Cheesebored]

Wilder has managed 3 championship teams and had just the one promotion from it.

He leaves us with a record of two promotions and two relegations.

As I said, the PL seems a step too far. Two promotions is not too shabby.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Whichever way you look at it it’s a dreadful appointment and shows the owners know nothing.

You’re the most miserable fan on here. I can’t think of a positive comment you’ve ever made.

At least you can come on here when we lose our first game under him and say ‘told you so’

 

[adamawdhali]

Appointing a manager deemed not good enough for Hull City, looks like a shocking decision whichever way you look at it. He’d be a very underwhelming appointment.

Liam rosenior wasn’t good enough for hull and he’ll be in the champions league next year

 

[Brian Deane]

He got sacked by the madman in charge of Hull. The same guy who sacked Rosenior and every other manager who doesn't take Hull up.

He wasn't sacked by Southampton. He had a contract to the end of the season which they didn't renew.

Exactly the same record as Wilder at Boro and Watford. But Boro and Watford are/were both top 8 clubs with lots of money and quality players.

Selles managed a club going down and beat Chelsea and drew away to Liverpool (4:4 - imagine).
Reading were going bust and he got them to the play-offs
Hull were in a mess and he steadied the ship. Beat us, Sunderland and drew with Leeds.

So, he's been twice dropped in with largely someone else's players and made a fist of it.

He likes fisting ? Gerrim signed

 

[Northyorksblade]

I have a friend who's a Hull supporter. Really rates Selles and reckons he'd do well for us.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Liam rosenior wasn’t good enough for hull and he’ll be in the champions league next year

The reason they gave for sacking him despite finishing seventh was because the football wasn't exciting or attacking enough.

They finished 4th bottom this season. Might give us pause for thought as we get rid of Wilder.

 

[AnstonBlade1]

You’re the most miserable fan on here. I can’t think of a positive comment you’ve ever made.

At least you can come on here when we lose our first game under him and say ‘told you so’

We’ll be mid table or lower at xmas and he’ll be sacked.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

We’ll be mid table or lower at xmas and he’ll be sacked.

Well that’s that then, I’ll hand my season ticket back as you’ve already predicted the future.

 

[adamawdhali]

The reason they gave for sacking him despite finishing seventh was because the football wasn't exciting or attacking enough.

They finished 4th bottom this season. Might give us pause for thought as we get rid of Wilder.

My point is, I’d hardly be relying on hull city’s boards opinion on managers.

 

[NerdyBlade]

In his own words:

I got the transcript from this interview and asked GPT to summarise:

Core Philosophy & Tactical Identity​

• Aggression and Intensity as Non-Negotiables:
  He consistently emphasizes work rate, front-foot aggression, and intensity out of possession as fundamental. Phrases like “the higher the better” for pressing and wanting to “press to score goals” highlight a proactive, high-press style.
• Verticality with Control:
  Vertical play isn’t just about long balls — Sellés wants quick, purposeful line-breaking passes to put the opponent on the back foot. His teams aim to be dynamic and direct, but also structured enough to “control spaces.”
• Flexible Formations, Fixed Principles:
  Sellés adapts between 4-2-2-2, 4-3-3, and 4-2-3-1 depending on context, but the principles (intensity, verticality, team structure) remain constant. His tactical malleability shows up especially when transitioning between League One, the Championship, and the Premier League.
• Learned Adaptability:
  At Reading, he learned the hard way that a pressing system must be adapted to the division’s realities — otherwise, teams just bypass the press. So he adjusted by adding more central presence and focusing on second-ball control.

Man-Management & Dressing Room Culture​

• Character & Chemistry First:
  Sellés actively seeks players who “own the situation” and can coexist in a high-accountability environment. He stresses honest conversations, observing player interactions, and cultural fit.
• Collective Over Ego:
  There’s a strong collectivist bent to his style — everyone must “feel close to the lineup” and contribute. He wants “a group of players that want to do it together,” not stars who operate in silos.
• No Age Bias:
  He evaluates based on fit, not age: “We don’t see if you’re 16 or 34,” he says. The best tactical fit plays — end of story.

Player Development & Coaching Ethos​

• Structure First, Then Flourish:
  His approach to youth development is systematic: clearly defined roles within a consistent tactical framework. This structure reduces mental load, allowing young players to focus on execution and learning.
• Mistakes Are Safe, Not Punished:
  He creates a psychologically safe space — honest mistakes are expected in young players. This is a stark contrast to environments where youth fear failure.
• Detail-Oriented Coaching:
  Every training session is built around specific tactical content. Players are coached positionally and functionally (e.g., a winger is coached on pressing angles, diagonal lines, finishing). It's highly granular and deliberate.
• Reading Example:
  At Reading, even amid crisis, he developed players like Andre Gray (age 16 at debut) by trusting them in structured systems. He speaks proudly of this as a proving ground for his methods.

Data, Metrics & Analytical Thinking​

• Physical Data as Validation:
  Sellés cited the post-Leeds match as the most physically intense Hull performance of the season, using that data point to underscore buy-in and belief.
• Possession as Tactical Leverage:
  He breaks down matches not just emotionally but analytically — even pushing for a 10–15% increase in possession as a tool to level up performance against top teams.
• Micro-structure in Attack:
  His reference to “Winger-Winger connection,” “maximum depth, minimum width,” and coordinated off-ball runs shows an advanced level of coaching detail.

Leadership Tone​

• Measured & Reflective:
  Sellés comes across as calm, deliberate, and deeply introspective. He acknowledges past mistakes (e.g., pressing inefficiencies at Reading) and sees management as a growth journey.
• Empathetic Yet Demanding:
  He wants players to feel secure and heard — but also insists on intensity and adherence to his methods.
• No Ego:
  He deflects credit when praised for young player development (“I wish I had a secret formula, but I don’t”). He credits structure, clarity, and hard work.

Squad Building & Transfer Philosophy​

• Lean Squad Preference:
  He avoids bloated squads, favoring a smaller group where everyone feels involved. Rotation and youth integration are key to this.
• Precision over Pace in Transfers:
  Even in January’s urgency, he stresses “not rushing,” aiming to “get the perfect profile” based on Hull’s needs and the existing squad.

Emotional Intelligence & Club Affinity​

• Gratitude Toward Reading:
  He speaks warmly and respectfully of his time at Reading, where he had to front the media during turmoil. He describes that period as where he “found himself as a manager.”
• Fan Connection:
  Sellés is aware of the importance of fan buy-in. His interviews often reflect how decisions are seen publicly, not just technically.

TL;DR —​

How can you read this and not feel optimistic and really intrigued

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

The reason they gave for sacking him despite finishing seventh was because the football wasn't exciting or attacking enough.

They finished 4th bottom this season. Might give us pause for thought as we get rid of Wilder.

We brought Slav in with an excellent Championship track record and that backfired due to the squad.

We know what we’d get if Wilder was in charge, British based signings, leaks of unhappiness, press conferences where he emphasised how big of a blade he is & meltdowns when we lost.

Unfortunately football is moving on from the sentiment of ‘one of your own’ in charge. It’s becoming more tactical year in year out.

It’s interesting to see how Selles gets on, it’s the first time he’s had a top 5 budget and a summer of preparation. He’s never had that before to showcase his ability.

 

[SwissBlade]

There is a huge difference between being deemed not good enough by the Hull chairman (who also thought Rosenior not good enough) and not being good enough.

He took Hull forward in the very short time he was there. They were rock bottom when he took them over and improved them substantially.

Have you actually watched his teams play much?

I’d take his work at hull as an impact manager with a pinch of salt. You could very easily replace Hull with Wednesday and be talking about Röhl. And despite some decent work from Rohl during his first full season, he’s not had the same results and performances.

It’s not to compare Selles to Rohl as such, but to highlight that he doesn’t have a huge amount of time at Hull to go on