Wilder's second spell in charge at Bramall Lane has ended (Image: PA)
Wilder's second spell in charge at Bramall Lane has ended (Image: PA)
Chris Wilder has departed Sheffield United and the Blades have appointed Ruben Selles as their new manager.
Wilder leaves following a “mutually agreed decision” following failure to win promotion back to the Premier League, losing in the play-off final against Sunderland despite taking the lead at Wembley.
Selles joins the Blades following his exit from Hull City last month, having been axed by the Tigers despite keeping them in the Championship.
The Spaniard previously had an impressive spell at Reading in League One, guiding the Royals into the top six despite their problems off the field.
"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,” he told the club site.
"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.
“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 to 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."
Wilder’s second spell in the dugout at Bramall Lane began in December 2023 and he was unable to pull off a great escape in the top flight.
Last season, his side finished third on 90 points – including a two-point deduction – and beat Bristol City in the play-offs before coming up short against Sunderland.
“I'm obviously disappointed to be leaving, particularly because we were so close to getting back to the Premier League,” Wilder added.
“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.”