Sheffield United fired "huge risk" warning involving Ruben Selles | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit believes that Ruben Selles would be a risky Chris Wilder replacement

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Sheffield United have identified Ruben Selles as a potential candidate to replace Chris Wilder if he exits Bramall Lane this summer.

John Percy of The Telegraph reported that new owners COH Sports were "expected" to part ways with the 57-year-old after failing to achieve promotion to the Premier League.

According to Alan Nixon, the former Hull City boss has been targeted alongside Gary O’Neil, with the latter believed to be the Blades’ preferred option.

Selles guided the Tigers to safety after joining the club in December when they were rooted to the foot of the Championship table.

Football League World’s Sheffield United fan pundit, Jimmy (AKA Blades Ramble), thinks a move for the Spaniard would represent a change in strategy for the Steel City side.

Sheffield United told to be wary of risky move for Ruben Selles

“I think it's crazy that there's so much speculation about who is going to be the next Sheffield United manager,” stated Jimmy. “While we've still got a manager that's not only in the post but finished third in the league with 92 points.

“It's incredible really. But would Ruben Selles be a good manager for Sheffield United if we assume that Chris Wilder will no longer be?

“I think this represents a complete change in strategy for Sheffield United. We've only once appointed a non-British manager in the form of Slaviša Jokanović and Ruben Selles would be the second.

“It represents a change in structure of the way that Sheffield United operate as a football club. It would be moving towards the head coach model, perhaps with a director of football, technical director or sporting director.

“But it's a huge risk. There's no other way of saying it. It's a monumental risk by Sheffield United because it will be much safer to stick with fan favourite Chris Wilder, who's done an incredible job on the pitch. He let himself down at times last season gone but for what he's achieved on the field, he deserves another go.

“So regarding Ruben Selles, we'll have to wait and see.”

Ruben Selles may need time to find his feet at Sheffield United

It could be argued that Sheffield United would benefit from a refresh in the dugout after their play-off heartbreak, but appointing Selles at the expense of Wilder is a huge risk.

The Blades’ current boss knows what it takes to achieve promotion to the Premier League, whereas Selles hasn’t even competed for top-half football in the second-tier.

The 42-year-old coach has obvious potential and has shown it in bursts during his stints with Southampton, Reading and Hull, but would naturally need time to adapt if appointed as the new Sheffield United boss.

Even if this acclimatation took a month, it could be ground that the Blades would need to make up on their rivals.

In a division with such tight margins at the top and where every point matters, taking a huge gamble on Selles might not be what Sheffield United need ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.