Who are Sheffield United’s new coaches? | OneFootball

Rubén Sellés’ appointment at Bramall Lane on Wednesday brought a major change to the face of the club. The previous Southampton, Reading and Hull City manager is still at the beginning of his managerial career. In comparison to the veteran Chris Wilder.

But the change is far more sweeping than just the manager. Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge have left with Wilder. Sellés has brought in his own team but who are they?

James Oliver-Pearce

Oliver-Pearce, 33, met Sellés at Reading FC. Prior to working with the Royals, Oliver-Pearce rspent a decade with AFC Wimbledon.

He wore a number of hats with the Dons signing on as an academy coach in 2012. Then, he moved to become assistant of the U18s by 2014 and became the manager of the U16s in 2015.

He became Under 18s manager in 2021 before becoming part of the first team coaching staff under Mark Robinson and Mark Bowen.

Bowen who began his coaching career with Reading and had been Royals manager returned to the club with Paul Ince. Oliver-Pearce completed the move with his former manager. Swapping the Dons for the Royals.

His first season on the coaching staff saw Reading finish 22nd with Paul Ince. A relegation from the Championship after 10 consecutive seasons.

He remained under Sellés after his arrival with the club in League One. He and Sellés oversaw a 17th placed finish in the first League One season. Before pushing a turbulent Royals towards the playoffs only to depart for Hull City in December 2024.

Upon their arrival at the KCOM Stadium, Oliver-Pearce was made Sellés’ assistant manager. With the pair working to help Hull City survive. A difficult task considering the Tigers were in the relegation zone and winless in nine when Tim Walter was sacked.

Tobias Loveland

Loveland, 33, and Sellés met whilst at Southampton. Prior to working with the Saints, Loveland was at Bristol City. He joined the Robins in 2014 before moving onto Southampton in 2018.

With the Saints, Loveland performed the role of Senior Technical Analyst. After Sellés’ departure from St Mary’s Loveland followed him to Reading.

Loveland became the Royals’ First Team Technical Coaching Assistant.

When Sellés left for Hull City, Loveland joined Sellés and Oliver-Pearce on Humberside as a first-team coach.

It’s worth noting that Andrew Sparkes who joined Reading FC as Sellés’ assistant from Southampton is now QPR goalkeeping coach. A move that likely led to both Oliver-Pearce and Loveland becoming his right-hand men.

Takeaways

Ultimately, despite being in their early thirties both Oliver-Pearce and Loveland have fairly lengthy CVs to their names.

But like Sellés, they have had a quick trajectory in recent years from Reading FC to Hull City and now the Blades.

They have a chance to make names for themselves. Etch their names in the same history book as Monsieurs Wilder and Knill. Only time can tell if they will.