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Sheffield United owners, COH Sports, are facing an onslaught of criticism following Ruben Selles’ winless start.
The former Hull City boss was chosen as Chris Wilder’s successor earlier in the summer, in a move from the Sheffield United owners that has proven to be disastrous.
Wilder’s final game as Blades boss saw Sunderland beat Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final, and only a matter of months later, 38 places in the top two divisions of English football separate the two sides.
Selles’ latest nightmare came with Ipswich Town’s 5-0 win over Sheffield United on Friday evening courtesy of a stunning Jaden Philogene hat-trick and goals from George Hirst and Jack Clarke.
After the game, Selles discussed his Sheffield United future, which could be approaching a short-lived conclusion as one Blades reporter blasted the Bramall Lane hierarchy after the Portman Road horror show.
- READ MORE: Kieran McKenna picks ‘favourite’ Ipswich Town goal from 5-0 rout against Sheffield United
Sheffield United owners slammed for sacking Chris Wilder
Sheffield United fans blasted Wilder’s sacking, with some labelling the Bramall Lane hierarchy as “disgusting” for letting their much-loved manager go in the wake of the Wembley defeat.
After Sheffield United appointed Selles as Wilder’s successor, the Spaniard has started the season in disastrous fashion, overseeing six consecutive defeats in all competitions.
Sacking a manager universally adored among the supporters, with two Sheffield United promotions on his CV, was always going to be a gamble from COH Sports.
Unfortunately for the Sheffield United owners, their trigger-happy decision to sack Wilder and appoint Selles has monumentally backfired, with one Blades reporter telling the owners that you ‘reap what you sow’.
Sheffield Star reporter Alan Biggs said on X: “If ever there was a sacking performance that was it. Be amazed if Ruben Selles survives it.
“Said in my column I thought he had two games – barring an embarrassment, which that was. Owners reap what they sow. What they did in the summer was madness.”
EFL Analysis exclusively revealed before the Ipswich horror show that the Sheffield United chiefs will give Selles time to stop the rot on his disastrous start as Wilder’s replacement.
However, it remains to be seen whether he will, given the magnitude and manner of the latest loss.
Said loss, has led the Sheffield United owners to sound out Wilder about a sensational return to replace the man who was brought in as his replacement mere months ago.
Not only did Biggs blast the Sheffield United hierarchy, he also questioned Selles for one glaring mistake in his starting XI selection at Portman Road.
Sheffield United expert questions Ruben Selles dropping Gus Hamer
Before kick-off, fears about the result were rife among the Sheffield United supporters after Selles shockingly dropped key man Gustavo Hamer from the starting XI, as well as striker Tyrese Campbell.
Hamer was wanted by PSV this summer, but the Blades held onto their prized asset, who has arguably established himself as the best Championship player currently.
It begs the question, with no injury concerns for the dynamic midfielder, why would Selles willingly not start his best player?
On Selles’ decision to drop Hamer, Biggs added: “No Hamer injury. Whatever else, Selles fronts up & owns his decisions. Feel for him on that, a decent guy.
“But surely a manager builds around his best players & plays them in their best positions? Surely you play a system to suit what you have”.
In addition, Campbell remains Sheffield United’s top goalscorer in the Championship so far this season, admittedly with only one goal; make of that what you will.
Sheffield United host Charlton Athletic next weekend, but given the Blades’ ill-fated start under Selles and the potential for Wilder’s stunning return, pressure is mounting in every department at Bramall Lane.