Ruben Selles v's Chris Wilder

[Nick Jansky]

Danny Wilson was rightly car park protested and compared to Selles, Wilson actually had some achievements in his locker.

The Danny Wilson protest was because of his Pig connections, nothing more. If you think people are going to be in the car park over this you’re a joke

 

[BerksBlade]

Say we lose Gus, Souza, Cooper maybe Arblaster/Peck?
It’s very realistic

Why would Wilder do any better than Selles if we do lose these players? Wilder's plan to score goals largely relied on Gus doing something special - no plan B.

 

[Blademan89]

You can play someone without improving them. Coaching is equally if not more important.

Yeah but thats why I said they go hand in hand, cant just coach someone on a training pitch without playing them, whats point in that.

You cna coach someone until cows come up but if they can't play in a proper game against proper opposition etc..

 

[Nick Jansky]

Ok so no real explanation for sacking him.

Did you watch the 2019 promotion season? Or the league one campaign the season before? Or the premier league 1st season? I asked what sets him apart not what makes him the same.

I don’t think there was a sensible explanation for his sacking other than the owner is a nutter. Hull fans agree on that.

Yes, I’ve watched us since 1968 and explained one of the things which, in my opinion, differentiates him from Wilder.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

It's difficult comparing two managers in such different situations.
People slating Selles don't seem to be looking at what he did with what he had available and the rest of the situation around those clubs at the time.
Seems he did some very good work in the circumstances.
Hopefully putting him in a position with a better setup and a preseason, and some budget he'll be able to put into place the things he speaks about.

 

[AnstonBlade1]

Why would Wilder do any better than Selles if we do lose these players? Wilder's plan to score goals largely relied on Gus doing something special - no plan B.

Totally agree not opposed to wilder going
Just don’t trust these owners to make the right appointment

 

[Frank the tank]

The Hull owner expects every manager to get them promoted, without actually backing them in any great way.

He is turkeys version of Simon Cowell
Apparently

 

[Sean Thornton]

They’ve named a new manager. It’s not Wilder!

 

[Sheffsteel]

Totally agree not opposed to wilder going
Just don’t trust these owners to make the right appointment

You didn’t trust the Prince and wanted him out.
You’ve never rated Wilder and wanted him out.

It’s pretty obvious you’ll never trust any owner we had or have
And also you’ll never rate which ever manager we appoint.

That’s just the way you roll,
predict defeat every match, in facts it’s often a thrashing every , also always predict relegation before the season starts.

 

[blade67]

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 —​

Does he play with a zone man at corners?
And if so, does he know who it is?

 

[SwissBlade]

I don’t think there was a sensible explanation for his sacking other than the owner is a nutter. Hull fans agree on that.

Yes, I’ve watched us since 1968 and explained one of the things which, in my opinion, differentiates him from Wilder.

Ok. I’ve not watched us since 1968, but that’s not overly important as I was referring to the period of wilder innovation on the pitch. I guess if his hull time is better than that, we’re in for a real treat next season.

I wonder what the sensible explanation will be for sacking Wilder and replacing him with this fella, presumably it’ll be because he plays front foot football and high press, but then doesn’t play the high press when he doesn’t have the players for that type of football…

It’s not to say to keep wilder, I’m just intrigued as to what this guy has done to really justify the change… and particularly, what he will bring. What makes him an innovator? What makes his brand special? What sets him apart from Wilders experience from when he first came in and how things evolved quickly.

I have to be honest, he’s not yet in the building, but I’m getting some Adkins vibes, without the track record

 

[Sean Thornton]

Say we lose Gus, Souza, Cooper maybe Arblaster/Peck?
It’s very realistic

And if we lost them with Wilder still here?

 

[Nick Jansky]

Ok. I’ve not watched us since 1968, but that’s not overly important as I was referring to the period of wilder innovation on the pitch. I guess if his hull time is better than that, we’re in for a real treat next season.

I wonder what the sensible explanation will be for sacking Wilder and replacing him with this fella, presumably it’ll be because he plays front foot football and high press, but then doesn’t play the high press when he doesn’t have the players for that type of football…

It’s not to say to keep wilder, I’m just intrigued as to what this guy has done to really justify the change… and particularly, what he will bring. What makes him an innovator? What makes his brand special? What sets him apart from Wilders experience from when he first came in and how things evolved quickly.

I have to be honest, he’s not yet in the building, but I’m getting some Adkins vibes, without the track record

I guess we’ll need to wait and see, won’t we. I learned many years ago that it’s usually best to approach anything new with an open mind and not to judge until there is actually some evidence to consider, which in this case would consist of, say, 6 months of him managing us.

In terms of what he’s done to justify his appointment, I’m afraid I wasn’t party to any discussions the club and its representatives have had with him and probably with people who have previously worked with him, so you would need to ask them.

 

[Hillsboro Blade]

If it is Selles I’ll be looking forward to the change of direction, philosophy and hopefully improvement on fitness. We need a change of ethos at the club, fresh ideas from someone not previously a part of the club.

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

The Danny Wilson protest was because of his Pig connections, nothing more. If you think people are going to be in the car park over this you’re a joke

Given the apathy at the club these days I don't think most so called "blades" would be in the car park if we sacked Wilder, sold Hamer, Campbell, Cooper, Souza and Burrows and appointed Steve Bruce.

 

[moody1889]

If we replace Wilder with Selles the new owners can f#ck off.

I am not Wilders biggest fan but that is like Swapping An Audi for a ford fiesta

 

[Sean Thornton]

Given the apathy at the club these days I don't think most so called "blades" would be in the car park if we sacked Wilder, sold Hamer, Campbell, Cooper, Souza and Burrows and appointed Steve Bruce.

Come on, have another go……

 

[Nick Jansky]

so called "blades"

 

[Carlton Blade]

For those who think Selles is a good call. Why would AI pick Selles over Wilder.

Ruben Selles

Summary Table​

Club	Matches	W–D–L	Win%	Pts/Match	Notables
Southampton	16 PL	2–4–10	13%	~0.625	Highlight: away win at Chelsea
Reading	63 all	25–14–24	~40%	~1.5	9–0 win vs Exeter, stabilized club
Hull City	~27 PL	9–7–11	~33%	~1.06	Ended mid-table, cup exit on pens

Chris Wilder

Summary Table​

Club (Period)	Games	W–D–L	Win%	Key Notes
Sheffield United (2016–21)	227	106–47–74	47%	2 promotions, PL mid-table finish
Middlesbrough (2021–22)	45	18–11–16	40%	Near play-offs, then slump
Watford (2023)	11	3–3–5	27%	Short tenure
Sheffield United (2023–25)	~37	~23–6–8	~62%*	Relegation, rebuild, nearly promoted

What's the question? If it's who's achieved more, it's Wilder. If it's 'who's more likely to succeed in a modern set up where coaching takes precedence" I bet it picks Selles

 

[AWetFlannel]

The Hull owner expects every manager to get them promoted, without actually backing them in any great way.

Rosenior wasn't backed?!?!

 

[Zipwire]

It's difficult comparing two managers in such different situations.
People slating Selles don't seem to be looking at what he did with what he had available and the rest of the situation around those clubs at the time.
Seems he did some very good work in the circumstances.
Hopefully putting him in a position with a better setup and a preseason, and some budget he'll be able to put into place the things he speaks about.

I’ve done my reading up on Selles and the recurrent theme he has done an outstanding job with teams who have been really up against it, the job he did at Reading really stands out.

He’s got a lot of background in sports science and sports psychology too which will only help our side who lets me honest, looked fucked after 70 minutes every game last season.

He also like a high pressing game played on the front foot which augers well, especially seeing as playing out from the back seems to be in vogue, and Hull really did impress me last season when they did a job on us last season.

I’m certainly warming to this appointment and hope it comes off. It won’t be to everyone’s liking as Wilder had a strong cult of personality but I think it is important to realise one man isn’t bigger than the club

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Say we lose Gus, Souza, Cooper maybe Arblaster/Peck?
It’s very realistic

The roof could blow off the kop and crush the full squad.

 

[Frank the tank]

If he doesn't pick Robinson and anel together he has improved the side by a factor of 120 %

 

[SwissBlade]

I guess we’ll need to wait and see, won’t we. I learned many years ago that it’s usually best to approach anything new with an open mind and not to judge until there is actually some evidence to consider, which in this case would consist of, say, 6 months of him managing us.

In terms of what he’s done to justify his appointment, I’m afraid I wasn’t party to any discussions the club and its representatives have had with him and probably with people who have previously worked with him, so you would need to ask them.

Yeah sorry, not trying to dig you out, I’m trying to understand what he brings, as you say we’ll wait and see, but the intention was to get an understanding now of what Selles brings to bring us to this point.

 

[blade too long]

sorry but its like asda home delivery replacing your rump steak with a tin of spam

or

asking for an upgrade at a hilton hotel and getting the broom cupboard


not someone with a CV with no achievements of any sort
is this from the big owls fan at the telegraph again

 

[Sheffsteel]

I guess we’ll need to wait and see, won’t we. I learned many years ago that it’s usually best to approach anything new with an open mind and not to judge until there is actually some evidence to consider, which in this case would consist of, say, 6 months of him managing us.

In terms of what he’s done to justify his appointment, I’m afraid I wasn’t party to any discussions the club and its representatives have had with him and probably with people who have previously worked with him, so you would need to ask them.

Agree….common sense really.

Personally….altho I have plenty of concerns and criticisms about Wilder last season.
There are also positives but the bottom line is 92 points over a season is impressive.
So I would have kept him and reviewed the situation in Nov25 expecting us to be top 4.

However we have new owners who are risking millions of their own money on success.
So I will respect their decisions, initially support them and give them time, then we’ll see how good or poor those decisions are.

Regards any swap from Wilder to Selles I’m worried but excited at the same time.
Really think with Wilder he’d play the percentages and we’d be gauranteed a top 4 finish however, like Warnock, don’t think Wilder could ever be successful in the Premier league. Whereas Selles is more of a risk and like Jokanovic, he could end up sacked by Christmas
But I do think Selles has a higher ceiling than Wilder and is less of a public/ reputational liability.
Anyhow surely it’s a case of….lets wait and see…then make a judgement after the event.

I think the reason for the manager change relates to the current owners wanting a management structure that is so common on the continent.
Outside Europe they have 1st team coaches who have much less input in choosing players.
The players are chosen by the director of football and owners….and then the manager is told to get on with it.
This relationship will be totally alien to Wilder but perfectly normal for Selles.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Ok. I’ve not watched us since 1968, but that’s not overly important as I was referring to the period of wilder innovation on the pitch. I guess if his hull time is better than that, we’re in for a real treat next season.

I wonder what the sensible explanation will be for sacking Wilder and replacing him with this fella, presumably it’ll be because he plays front foot football and high press, but then doesn’t play the high press when he doesn’t have the players for that type of football…

It’s not to say to keep wilder, I’m just intrigued as to what this guy has done to really justify the change… and particularly, what he will bring. What makes him an innovator? What makes his brand special? What sets him apart from Wilders experience from when he first came in and how things evolved quickly.

I have to be honest, he’s not yet in the building, but I’m getting some Adkins vibes, without the track record

I woukd assume that when he's spoken to them, he's proposed what he wants to do and they've bought in.

With the change in the responsibilities of the role from jack of all trades/finger in all pies to 1st team coach, I think the process of identifying a candidate at our level (where you can't just cherry pick) will lean more towards future plans than past achievements.

Doesn't mean Selles will be a success. But I do think it's why he's in the frame. Plus, he's been coaching since he was 20 and has worked in Spain, Azerbaijan, Russia, Greece, Norway, Denmark and England. I think he's an old head on young shoulders

 

[Nick Jansky]

Yeah sorry, not trying to dig you out, I’m trying to understand what he brings, as you say we’ll wait and see, but the intention was to get an understanding now of what Selles brings to bring us to this point.

There’s a good interview with him somewhere on the forum that was posted earlier today. It’s worth a watch. I think the biggest thing he will bring is excitement and intensity, both of which we have been missing for the last 5 years, and the hope is that it will come with success attached. This will be the first job where he will have the ability to be involved in recruitment with some degree of budget. We also know that we will see square pegs in square holes.

But those are just my thoughts.

 

[blade too long]

What's the question? If it's who's achieved more, it's Wilder. If it's 'who's more likely to succeed in a modern set up where coaching takes precedence" I bet it picks Selles

not be very inTelligent if it picks someone who got 50 points over one who got 90 points ( 92 if you wanna be pedantic)

 

[Frank the tank]

sorry but its like asda home delivery replacing your rump steak with a tin of spam

or

asking for an upgrade at a hilton hotel and getting the broom cupboard


not someone with a CV with no achievements of any sort
is this from the big owls fan at the telegraph again

Its not though