CONFIRMED Rubén Sellés - Three year deal

[Silky Sabella]

What I don’t get about a lot of posters is the absolute confidence they have that this appointment will be a failure. No one knows, in the same way we didn’t really know that Wilder could cut it at a club our size when he took over. It’s the same thinking that means promising managers don’t get a chance at managing in the Premier League, needy fans demanding big names with CVs full of trophies.
To my thinking, if Rohl can be touted as the next big thing based on a rescue mission and a mediocre season, Selles is worthy of being given a chance with us.
He may prove to be a disaster, but lets at least give him the chance to take his coat off and hang it up before we give up on him.

He will be a success, and when he is , I hope all the wilder lovers/Selles doubters come on here and eat humble pie !

 

[dexter101]

Has anyone looked at his previous tactics and style of play and drawn out (without losing any players) what our first 11 for the first game might be?

All this talk of pressing, aggressive, vertical, I never really get what it means until I can see a team on paper and then play.

 

[Blade56]

He will be a success, and when he is , I hope all the wilder lovers/Selles doubters come on here and eat humble pie !

I’m not into saying I told you so. It just feels right to take us in new direction cause old one was stagnant.

Let’s be right I’m not expecting an upgrade on Wilderfooty, I’m expecting something totally different.

It’s not enough to keep struggling into PL for funds to keep us struggling on the fringe again after relegation.

Goal is to get there and stay there.

Meanwhile back in S6……. Counting me blessings

 

[Berkshire Blade]

I asked our AI overlords to compare Selles and Wilder:

Here’s the brief summary:

Tactical Category​	Chris Wilder​	Rubén Sellés​
Style	Structured, pragmatic	Modern, fluid, high-tempo
Defence	Deep block, compact	Pressing, quick regain
Attack	Wing-based, physical	Central combinations, speed
Flexibility	Low	High
Build-up	Direct, wide overloads	Short, controlled, vertical
Formation	Consistent (3-5-2)	Flexible (3-4-2-1, 4-2-3-1, etc.)

It went far more in depth which made some interesting reading.

3 5 2....

AI needs updating!

 

[Bell4]

Think it was either Rocket Man or Rifleman ITK

Frank if I remember, Nick told him during their twice weekly coffee ️ mornings

 

[Stretch]

Let's go Blades

 

[Norwood's 6 iron]

I would say in the times of Paul Woodhouse, Stephen Hinchcliffe and Sam Hashimi the image took a bit of a battering

True, but it wasn't as public as it is now. They were all directors/owners and outside of Sheffield hardly anyone knew what was happening.
Wilder was hated by the fans of many clubs, his antics after certain games and the numerous fines the club picked up were all over the media.

 

[Railway Blade]

True, but it wasn't as public as it is now. They were all directors/owners and outside of Sheffield hardly anyone knew what was happening.
Wilder was hated by the fans of many clubs, his antics after certain games and the numerous fines the club picked up were all over the media.

Very true. Social media wasn't as prevalent then. I thought some of the fines we got were a bit harsh at times. The players particularly have to stick up for one another. Coventry away springs to mind when Anel got goaded.

That said, Wilder certainly did himself no favours at Plymouth away. That was embarrassing.

 

[Espania blade]

My guess is they don't want to spend big in the transfer market, they'll identify young players via AI and expect him to find a few diamonds that will either get us promoted or to sell on for big money, hence they get a return on their investment.
Ever since they bought the club I was thinking how are they going to get a return on investment - only two ways in my mind,
Premier league or player sales.
They could of course (and probably will) invest in the infrastructure which will give them a return when they eventually sell us on. Personally i think there could be a few rocky years ahead Americans are brutal as we've seen with other clubs and they don't give a shit! A bit like our (less than) noisy neighbours! even though he's not American.

I stand by this

 

[Jon Bon II]

Let's go Blades


View attachment 213858

Ahh, looks like a subtle leak to me. We're getting Kappa kits aren't we? Right, where's the 2025/2026 New Kit thread....

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

I'm detecting division amongst our ranks about the departure/new appointment that warrants a meeting of S2 4SU's Cobra committee. Argos car park?

 

[Jim Mcdonald]

Thank god the dinosaur Peroni drinker has gone so he has, all hail the new king Ruben. We’ll storm this league next season so we will.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Thank god the dinosaur Peroni drinker has gone so he has, all hail the new king Ruben. We’ll storm this league next season so we will.

You're back! How was the slammer? Kept Liz company while you were away so I did.

 

[Houston_Blade]

The gamble: making sense of the Chris Wilder sacking

Ben Meakin weighs up the risks, rewards, and reasoning behind a bold decision by new ownership—and why he's ready to roll the dice on a new era at Bramall Lane.

open.substack.com

Excellent summary from Beans here. The Wilderites won’t like it but makes a lot of sense as to why Wilder was sacked. Not sure Selles is the right replacement but time will tell.

 

[Addison]

An innovative appointment that fits with my preferred option of an operational model that has a head coach and DOF.

The DOF appointment will be key. Preferably someone who has experience of the foreign recruitment market and can work closely with Selles. Whether that is Des Taylor remains to be seen but significant challenges will be faced in the coming weeks over incomings and outgoings. We can't let this appointment drift as there is a need to hit the ground running.

Selles background in data analysis and sports science will be valuable. Two areas we were found wanting under CW. The coaching appointments will be interesting. At Hull and Reading he had Tobias Loveland as his assistant head coach who has a data analysis back ground and James Oliver Pearce. The suggestion another experienced coach is coming in adds to the intrigue as does the reference to AI playing a role in physical conditioning. Again a key appointment in this area as our poor injury record and post injury recovery impacted significantly on us over last season. What this means for Tom Little now Prestridge has gone will be interesting.

The sound bites coming out from the owners and new manager are encouraging;

High intensity in execution and an attacking style of play

Front foot football

unlocking potential and growing it

I want us back to being the fittest team in the league utilising pace and speed of movement with the ball. It won't happen overnight but I'm on board with the project and new direction the club is going in.

 

[Nick Jansky]

Frank if I remember, Nick told him during their twice weekly meth sessions

Fixed it for you.

 

[Danetheblade]

Has anyone looked at his previous tactics and style of play and drawn out (without losing any players) what our first 11 for the first game might be?

All this talk of pressing, aggressive, vertical, I never really get what it means until I can see a team on paper and then play.

Previously played 4-2-2-2 at Southampton but has reverted to 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1. I’d imagine it’d be something like this (not including potential signings)

 

[dexter101]

Previously played 4-2-2-2 at Southampton but has reverted to 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1. I’d imagine it’d be something like this (not including potential signings)

Interesting to see how this looks! quite a lot of gaps really, especially when you look at who may leave.

 

[Danetheblade]

Interesting to see how this looks! quite a lot of gaps really, especially when you look at who may leave.

Definitely. Think I’d have gone for BBD personally, but if it were for the rumoured 8M I wouldn’t bother. Dolan at Blackburn would be a good signing (though think he’s got suitors in the prem). Anel would work, but I’d look at cashing in as he’s in his last year and doesn’t seem to want to renew.

 

[dexter101]

Definitely. Think I’d have gone for BBD personally, but if it were for the rumoured 8M I wouldn’t bother. Dolan at Blackburn would be a good signing (though think he’s got suitors in the prem). Anel would work, but I’d look at cashing in as he’s in his last year and doesn’t seem to want to renew.

In my head I am thinking we will sell Hamer, Anel and then either Souza or Peck. I think there will be interest in both but hopefully we might get another season out of one of them.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

Sellés took charge of one match for The Saints before the appointment of new manager Nathan Jones, a 1–1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup on 9 November – in which Southampton advanced to the next round after a penalty shootout.

 

[Frank the tank]

Sellés took charge of one match for The Saints before the appointment of new manager Nathan Jones, a 1–1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup on 9 November – in which Southampton advanced to the next round after a penalty shootout.

Think he did 18 altogether for saints

 

[Oreyt]

Any Twin Peaks fans have any idea why they've photographed him in the Black Lodge?

 

[The Fox]

Three years is fair enough as it'll probably take 2 years to get the server and super computer installed

 

[ITALIANO BLADE]

i back the blades no matter what im upset tufty has gone in the way he did but nothing we can do were just blades fans we dont matter but youve been chosen so ill ge behind you i hope the 3yrs contract you have isnt cut short when they change there mind like they did with king blades god chris wilder he has a 3yrs deal to 2028 then they ended that deal its left a bitter taste ill only back you because its not your fault all this sham im a blade i want WINS i want 3 points so welcome to the blades ruben selles i hope you play energy intent positive attacking football from the back ,all the best to you i hope you WIN,,good luck but its wont be easy we want wins ,,utb..

 

[Silent Blade]

Is he our first manager who has never played professional football?

Russell Slade

 

[Champagneblade]

I read this and thought it made for interesting reading:

Every time we had a points deduction, we won the next game. Managing those moments was actually a very positive learning. It didn’t matter what happened off the pitch; on the pitch, we were going to do our thing.

Also he mentioned a number of times where they noted things were not working so made changes.

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

 

[Bladesthorpe]

If you close your eyes and listen he sounds just like Arteta, I just hope he's half as good and gets half the investment he has.

 

[Pintor75]

Thought in his first interview he came across as an intelligent chap, answered all the questions (at least the ones you could hear) very well, let's get behind him now utb

 

[Silent Blade]

BalticBlade re your point about someone being outraged on TwatterX that Sellés has never played professional footy.
I asked chatGBT which top managers have never played pro footy….

Rank​	Name​	Nationality​	Key Teams Managed​	Notable Achievements​
1	Arrigo Sacchi	🇮🇹 Italy	AC Milan, Italy national team	Transformed modern football, won back-to-back European Cups (1989, 1990)
2	José Mourinho	🇵🇹 Portugal	Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid, Man Utd	Multiple league titles & 2 Champions League trophies
3	Andre Villas-Boas	🇵🇹 Portugal	Porto, Chelsea, Tottenham, Marseille	Won treble with Porto; Premier League experience
4	Maurizio Sarri	🇮🇹 Italy	Napoli, Chelsea, Juventus	Europa League winner with Chelsea
5	Gerard Houllier	🇫🇷 France	Liverpool, Aston Villa, Lyon	UEFA Cup & FA Cup with Liverpool
6	Ralf Rangnick	🇩🇪 Germany	RB Leipzig, Schalke, Man United (interim)	Key influence on German pressing football
7	Avram Grant	🇮🇱 Israel	Chelsea, Portsmouth	Reached Champions League final with Chelsea
8	Thomas Frank	🇩🇰 Denmark	Brentford	Took Brentford to Premier League without a playing past
9	Kieran McKenna	🇬🇧 Northern Ireland	Ipswich Town	Rapid rise as top coach after early retirement
10	Paul Clement	🇬🇧 England

Lawrie McMenemy too