Winners and losers from a Ruben Selles appointment by Sheffield United amid Chris Wilder exit talk

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Sheffield United are set to part ways with manager Chris Wilder, and with Ruben Selles expected to be his replacement, EFL Analysis has looked into the potential winners and losers in the move.

The final game of the 2024/25 Championship saw Sunderland beat Sheffield United in the play-off final, which has proven to become the last game as Blades boss for Chris Wilder.

EFL Analysis revealed last week that Wilder was having crunch talks over his Sheffield United future, and days on from those discussions, it has emerged that he is set to depart Bramall Lane.

Amid the rumours of a move, Sheffield United fans labelled the decision “disgusting”, given that the Blades were one win away from a third Premier League promotion under Wilder.

Sheffield United are taking steps to find Wilder’s successor, and one name who is most advanced at this point is former Southampton coach Ruben Selles.

• READ MORE: Sheffield United are still in the ‘driving seat’ for ‘incredible’ talent despite Chris Wilder sack talk

Winners from a Ruben Selles appointment at Sheffield United

Ruben Selles

Former Reading head coach Ruben Selles is the obvious winner in this scenario, as the move presents a platform for him to prove his calibre at a promotion-chasing Championship side.

Selles was sacked by Hull in May, despite a positive six-month stint at the Tigers, in which he kept the club safe from demotion to League One.

One Championship expert was stunned by Hull’s Sergej Jakirovic appointment, and Second Tier podcaster Ryan Dilks’ appraisal of the Spaniard highlights the reason the Blades are targeting Selles.

Championship rivals for 2025/26 season

Wilder almost took Sheffield United to the Premier League this season, and without high-fliers Leeds United and Burnley, the Blades’ 93 points tally would normally have been enough to secure promotion from the Championship.

Early predictions for the 2025/26 Championship put the likes of Southampton as promotion contenders, while Ipswich Town and Leicester City also hunt automatic promotion back to the top flight, with several sides chasing behind them.

If the Blades are caught in a transitional season under Selles next term, it will make them far more of a threat than Wilder’s side was in 2024/25.

• READ MORE: Sheffield United and Stoke ‘could be waiting’ months to sign Youssef Chermiti, Everton have decision to make

Losers from a Ruben Selles appointment after Chris Wilder leaves Sheffield United

Chris Wilder

As Selles would be the obvious winner, the clear loser in this case would be Wilder, given that he will not get the chance to take his boyhood club back to the top flight again.

If the Blades had stuck with Wilder, the pattern of success is obvious, given that Leeds kept Daniel Farke after failing in the 2024 play-off final, only to win the Championship title 12 months later.

Wilder was in his second spell in charge at Bramall Lane and was 90 minutes away from masterminding his third Blades promotion, but now will not get the chance to complete the trifecta for his boyhood club.

Sheffield United players

Several of Wilder’s players may have already played their final game for Sheffield United with the play-off final defeat, with several stars potentially departing alongside Wilder during the summer transfer window.

The close relationship Wilder had developed with his Blades squad was evident throughout the campaign, and the removal of a universally well-liked manager in the stands and dressing room will be a big gamble by the Sheffield United hierarchy.

Vini Souza was one of Wilder’s most trusted Blades enforcers, and Premier League clubs have circled for Souza so far this summer. The sacking of Wilder could push the likes of the Brazilian towards an exit.