Chris Wilder speaks after being sacked by Sheffield United with Ruben Selles quickly being appointed as their new manager.
Wilder held talks with the club’s American owners, COH Sports, weeks after a defeat in the Championship play-off final against Sunderland.
It’s been reported that there were disagreements over recruitment strategies, particularly the owners’ reliance on data and AI, contributed to the decision.
Wilder, who signed a contract until 2028, will leave amicably, respects the ownership group want their own coach and he will always leave the door open as Sheffield man, but is still disappointed.
His exit has caused quite a stir on social media, after Sheffield United, under COH Sports’ ownership since December, ended up finishing 3rd for the 2024/25 season with 90 points despite a two-point deduction.
𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 – 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫
Sheffield United can confirm a mutually agreed decision has been reached for manager Chris Wilder to leave the football club.
Chris will leave alongside coaches Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge, and in doing so depart with the… pic.twitter.com/SN9M7Rc35o
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) June 18, 2025
SHEFFIELD UNITED STATEMENT:
Sheffield United can confirm a mutually agreed decision has been reached for manager Chris Wilder to leave the football club.
Chris will leave alongside coaches Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge, and in doing so depart with the best wishes and gratitude of everyone connected with Sheffield United.
A Blade through and through, the legacy Chris and his staff have created here will never be forgotten, going right back to 2016 when he initially took the job with the club rooted in League One.
Between 2016 and 2021, he guided the club to two promotions and a ninth-place finish in the Premier League, creating an era which will go down as one of the most fondly remembered in the club’s history.
After returning to the club during a difficult period in 2023, he has provided stability and created a new team which earned a Steel City derby double amongst other notable highlights last season.
Showing his calibre as a manager, he guided the club to third place finish, collecting 92 points, before a heartbreaking conclusion in the play-off final.
Our owners, COH Sports, would wish to place on record our thanks to Chris and his staff for their efforts whilst at the helm and will be extending their own appreciation in due course.
𝐀 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫
It is with great regret that my time at Sheffield United has come to an end.
I’d like to thank Stephen Bettis and Prince Abdullah for bringing me back to the club and giving me the opportunity to rebuild the team and take this… pic.twitter.com/osEG7KkRdx
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) June 18, 2025
MESSAGE FROM CHRIS WILDER:
It is with great regret that my time at Sheffield United has come to an end.
I’d like to thank Stephen Bettis and Prince Abdullah for bringing me back to the club and giving me the opportunity to rebuild the team and take this great club forward. I’d also like to thank all the staff at the club, everyone behind the scenes that you don’t often see, and, of course, the players who put in a monumental effort last season, it has been a pleasure working with you, your desire and commitment was unquestionable and I have no doubt you will have great success in the future.
To the fans, I’m obviously disappointed to be leaving, particularly because we were so close to getting back to the Premier League. I’m a Sheffielder through and through, I love this club and this city and that feeling will never change. I depart with some cherished memories and feel proud to be talked about in the same manner that special Sheffield United managers are remembered – leading this team over 300 times will remain an incredible part of my life. This is a heartfelt thank you for all your support.
Lastly, I’d like to wish Steven Rosen, Helmy Eltouky and the board all the very best moving forward.
Up The Blades.
𝐑𝐮𝐛é𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧
Sheffield United have moved swiftly to fill the managerial hot seat at Bramall Lane, appointing a boss with Premier League and Championship experience. Rubén Sellés is the new Blades manager and moves to S2 having signed a three-year deal with the… pic.twitter.com/8Wxzlay4mZ
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) June 18, 2025
RUBEN SELLES APPOINTED:
Sheffield United have moved swiftly to fill the managerial hot seat at Bramall Lane, appointing a boss with Premier League and Championship experience.
Rubén Sellés is the new Blades manager and moves to S2 having signed a three-year deal with the club. Further coaching appointments will follow in due course.
Spaniard Sellés successfully kept Hull City in the Championship last season, despite taking over with the club bottom of the league, with an impressive win against United key to their survival.
Prior to his arrival on Humberside, he led Reading impressively despite a lengthy period of off the field turmoil, leaving the Royals in sixth place in League One.
His coaching CV is extensive, and includes working in the Premier League with Southampton, whilst he also boasts a background across several areas of the game.
On his arrival, our new boss said: “When we first heard about the possibility of coming here, it was a no brainer for us to join a club with this kind of history and with a mission to move forward and try to be even more competitive.
“This is a very powerful and ambitious project. It was very important at the start of the conversations that everyone is on the same page.
“We need to embrace data and new technologies, but the most important thing is not to forget the football essence. I think we are capable of delivering a good model and optimise our performance by using all the tools that we have.
“Our identity is always very clear. We want to be aggressive, we want to make things happen. So, the fans can expect a team which is not going to wait or be reactive, we will be proactive, we are going to go and try and be as competitive as we can in every single game. If we can do that then we’ll give ourselves a very good chance of winning games.”
Born in Marxalenes, a neighbourhood in Valencia, Sellés played for local side Parreta CF before a short stint with Burjassot. At the age of just 16, he was already coaching youth sides locally.
In 2002, Sellés entered the University of Valencia and enjoyed a promotion as coach of the organisation’s football team.
Academically, Sellés has a Master’s degree in Sports & Physiology and furthered his CV when graduating from UEFA’s Pro Licence programme when he was just 25.
Sellés has enjoyed a wide range of coaching experiences during stints in Greece, Russia, Azerbaijan, Norway – where he combined his coaching role as head of analysis – Denmark and Spain prior to coaching and managing in the Premier League with Southampton followed by stints with Reading and most recently Hull.
There will be a full interview with Rubén available shortly with further communication from our owners COH Sports.
In all objectivity, that’s a pretty mental decision.
Haven’t known a Championship manager off-season like this. Three clubs still yet to appoint and another vacancy coming up. Wouldn’t shock you if two more emerged either (SWFC +LCFC). https://t.co/U7om6pAT4R
— Elliott Jackson (@_ElliottJackson) June 17, 2025
Wilder was effectively sacked either way. It was as if they smoked him out.#SUFC https://t.co/gifO26ZGyo
— Alan Biggs (@AlanBiggs1) June 17, 2025
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD:
Dear Blades,
Today is the start of a new chapter for Sheffield United.
After deep reflection and with the utmost respect, we have mutually agreed that Sheffield United and Chris Wilder will part ways.
Chris is a true Blade through and through whose passion and leadership helped define a remarkable era. His achievements are etched in the fabric of this club: from guiding us to promotion from League One, to an unforgettable ninth-place finish in the Premier League, to steadying us through challenges with resilience and pride.
This season, he once again reminded us of his calibre by rallying the squad to a strong finish – only for it to end in devastating heartbreak at Wembley. It was a painful conclusion, but also a testament to how far he brought this group. Chris led with heart, with grit, and with a fierce commitment to the values of this city. We will forever be grateful for his contributions and wish him and his family nothing but success in his next chapter.
Looking ahead, we are delighted that Rubén Sellés will take over as first team manager.
Rubén is a culture setter and represents a new direction. His work to date in England and in Europe has marked him as one of the more promising and progressive coaching talents. He demands intensity in execution and an attacking style of play – qualities we believe are essential for our club’s long-term ambitions.
Rubén understands the power of potential and how to unlock it. How to grow players who can grow with the team. His ability to integrate academy talent, employ innovative recruitment and analytic strategies, play an exciting brand of football, and adapt dynamically to the modern game, are all tenants we believe that the next great chapter of Sheffield United football will be built upon.
As owners, please know that we remain unwavering in our goal: to see Sheffield United not only return to the Premier League, but to establish ourselves as a club that can compete consistently at a high level.
This decision has not been made lightly. We are setting a new course – one built for the future, rooted in our identity, and aimed squarely at bringing sustainable success to your city.
To our supporters: thank you for your unwavering loyalty and belief. You are absolutely vital to our ability to succeed and we know you will given Rubén full backing.
The road ahead may require patience, but also promises excitement, growth, and a footballing identity that reflects both our history and our ambition.
Up the Blades!
Here’s how fans reacted as Chris Wilder speaks after being sacked by Sheffield United with Ruben Selles appointed…
@HelenBladette: Rooted in our identity? …I’d love you to explain what you feel our identity is.
@Adamtheblade88: Blaster, Peck, Seriki, Brooks.. was Wilder not using the Academy?? If he did so we’ll, why get rid??
@vitalblades: As a fan I will give Selles my full backing, but it’s a shocking decision considering his CV and record. It’s understood Wilder wasn’t a fan of AI. Well, neither are the fans. Now was not the right time to make a change. I hope the board don’t live to regret it
@sportingcannon: It’s a nonsense statement. He’s done nothing in ENG football that allows he to be described as a culture setter and promising and progressive. I’m all in, but slow down on the hype. First signing is going to be the real “culture setter” #twitterblades
@ValleyFloydFred: 92 points in a season where you expected way worse and still gets sacked. Crazy.
@ThePinchNews: So interested to see where he goes next. He leaves us, once again, in a better place than when he found us. Not many managers have that track record. If he can find the right fit, we’ll probably be playing against Chris Wilder’s SOMEONE in the not too distant future.
@Devo72D: Football never ceases to amaze me, I hope I’m wrong but I think the club have got it wrong big time on this occasion, you won’t see the likes of Tufty for a long time 
@swann2204: Total lack of respect as a club to a manager doesn’t matter if he was a Blade though and through to allow it to be leaked to everyone before you spoke to a manager is disrespectful.
@RhianBrwstrBaby: Only 92 points a double over wednesday and one game away from the prem, yeah makes loads of sense
@JackWalters92: The greatest manager in the clubs history. Thank you for everything Chris. You’ll never know how much the majority of us appreciated you and your staff’s work over the years. One of our own
@Ollie_Blade: Thanks for the great years Chris, some of the highest highs in my 40 years as a Blade Lots of people questioning the decision, I think it’s more off the pitch than on, Americans are precious about reputation, and his banter and fighting mentality clearly isn’t what they want
@duggantom: Best manager in my lifetime. Absolutely gutted. No matter what anyone says he’s given us some of our best memories. The fact he was a blade made it even better. One of our own and will always be a club legend!
@LiamNBooth: Appointed based on AI his stats fit our players stats best apparently. A shame they don’t seem to have actually turned into a successful stint anywhere. Biggest gamble in EFL history
@KerrieRoebuck: Whilst a lot of the fan base are hurting right now it is extremely important to not turn on this bloke and get behind him. He has talked the talk now let’s help him walk the walk. He may not be many fans choice but he’s here now. Let’s give him a chance to show us what he can do
@SteelMarshian: Good luck. You’re going to need it. Shame the club couldn’t be respectful enough to let Wilder leave without this crap being issued straight away. He’s done absolutely nothing so far despite all the bollocks you’ve put on here
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