Sheffield United reveal why they've sacked Ruben Selles - fan reaction has played a huge part | OneFootball

Sheffield United's board have explained the decision to part company with head coach Ruben Selles after just six games in charge.

Sheffield United have sacked head coach Ruben Selles after just six games in charge, and the club's board have revealed that the feelings of supporters were one of the factors behind the decision.

After losing to Sunderland in last season's play-off final, Sheffield United made the controversial decision to part company with popular manager Chris Wilder in June due to disagreements over the club's new data-driven recruitment model.

Despite only narrowly keeping Hull City in the Championship last season during his brief stint at the MKM Stadium, Selles was named as Wilder's replacement, and the Spaniard was given strong backing in the transfer market this summer, with a total of 14 new signings arriving at Bramall Lane during the course of the window.

However, with many supporters unconvinced by his appointment, Selles' reign quickly turned into a nightmare, and the 42-year-old departs after losing all six of his games in charge in all competitions, with his side scoring just two goals and conceding 14 during that time.

Selles' final game in charge of United was their emphatic 5-0 defeat against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Friday night, which left them rooted to bottom of the table, and they are the only side in the division yet to pick up a point this season.

With Selles' departure now confirmed, it seems the Blades could be set to make a swift appointment, and less than three months after his shock exit, Wilder is reportedly set to make a stunning return to the club for a third spell in charge.

Sheffield United board break silence after Ruben Selles sacking

As speculation gathers pace about Wilder's imminent return, Sheffield United confirmed the sacking of Selles on Sunday afternoon, and in addition to the poor performances and results, the club's board revealed that they also considered the feelings of supporters when making the decision on his future.

"Sheffield United Football Club's board of directors have opted to make a change at managerial level," the club said in a statement on their official website.

"After a disappointing start to the EFL Championship campaign, Rubén Sellés has been relieved of his duties as manager.

"Following a review of recent performances, and taking into account the feelings of supporters, the timing of the change has been made to give the club the best possible opportunity to improve the current league position.

"The board of directors wish to thank Mr Sellés for his hard work.

"A new manager will be named in due course."

If, as expected, Wilder is announced as Selles' replacement in the coming days, his first game in charge will be against Charlton Athletic at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

Ruben Selles, Chris Wilder U-turn is somewhat humiliating for Sheffield United board

Many Sheffield United supporters felt that the decision to replace Wilder with Selles in the summer was an unnecessary gamble, and that has certainly proven to be the case, with the decision backfiring spectacularly on the club's owners.

If having to sack Selles after just six games in charge was not embarrassing enough for the Blades' board, bringing Wilder back is an even more humiliating U-turn, although they should be given credit for admitting they made a mistake rather than persisting with an appointment that was clearly not working.

It would have been difficult for the United hierarchy to ignore the growing fan unrest, with large sections of the away end calling for Selles to be sacked at Ipswich on Friday night, and news of Wilder's expected return has been widely welcomed on social media.

Some may argue that the Blades cannot keep turning back to Wilder when things go wrong, but there could be no better man to unite the fanbase after such a disappointing start to the season, and it would be no surprise to see them quickly begin to climb the table under the 57-year-old.