Sheffield United terminate deal with firm led by prospective Sheffield Wednesday owner | OneFootball

Short Circuit Science worked with Sheffield United on player recruitment and in the hiring of Ruben Selles

Sheffield United have cut ties with Short Circuit Science ahead of their prospective takeover of Sheffield Wednesday.

According to City AM, the Blades have terminated their agreement with the consultancy firm led by James Bord, who has been named as the preferred bidder to buy their bitter local rivals.

The new owners at Bramall Lane, COH Sports, brought Short Circuit on board to help with their player recruitment in the last summer transfer window.

The company also helped with the appointment of Ruben Selles as manager following the decision to part ways with Chris Wilder after the play-off final loss to Sunderland in May.

In particular, the consultancy firm was notable for their use of data analytics and AI to drive their decision making in the recruitment process.

Sheffield United cut ties with Short Circuit amid Sheffield Wednesday takeover

Sheffield United have reportedly terminated their relationship with Short Circuit, with co-owner Bord set to become the next owner at Hillsborough.

It’s believed that the contract was terminated by mutual consent, meaning both parties were okay with walking away from their agreement.

Bord is set to purchase Sheffield Wednesday, with his consortium awaiting ratification from the EFL before completing the takeover.

Short Circuit’s involvement with Sheffield United proved controversial prior to their attempts to buy their bitter rivals late last year.

The Blades’ summer recruitment under Selles proved a disaster, with the Spanish coach only overseeing five league games before being dismissed, as his side lost on each occasion.

Wilder has since returned to Bramall Lane, and he has overseen a turnaround in form that has the club hoping to still compete for another play-off place.

Sheffield United are 16th in the Championship table, nine points adrift of the top six, while Sheffield Wednesday are 32 points away from safety, with the side sitting bottom of the second division.

Short Circuit could not continue working with Sheffield United

If Bord’s bid to buy Sheffield Wednesday goes through, and there are no immediate concerns that it won’t, then this had to happen.

The ex-poker player cannot have a professional tie to Sheffield United and own the Owls at the same time, the fans wouldn’t stand for it.

It would also represent a conflict of interest that the EFL might not approve of, so this is surely just a formality of getting this takeover ratified.