Since the full-time whistle went at Portsmouth last Saturday, much of the focus has surrounded the future of Hull City head coach Ruben Selles.
Selles remains in post for now, but could yet face an early exit from the two-and-a-half-year contract he signed back in December when he left Reading to answer City’s SOS call.
The Tigers were bottom of the Championship when Selles arrived but it took until the final day of the campaign for the club to finally secure their survival on goal difference, having passed up numerous chances to make life a little easier for themselves.
With much talk and conjecture about the managerial situation at the MKM Stadium, here’s a round up of what we know so far…
What’s the current situation?
As it stands, Ruben Selles remains in charge at Hull City. The Spaniard has not been sacked and is still in the hot seat. Obviously, that situation could change in the coming days.
How did we get here?
Selles was brought in to keep City in the league, and ultimately, he did that. There was a frustration that it needed the final day and goal difference to finally get there, but he completed the task he was given and the club is still a Championship club.
Owner Acun Ilicali and the club’s hierarchy are thought to have doubts about whether the Spaniard is now the man to build on City’s survival and ensure the Tigers have a better season next term.
Their form post the March international break is believed to have been a catalyst for owner Ilicali and those around him to raise serious doubts about Selles’ suitability to turn the Tigers into a play-off contender next season.
Isn’t that harsh?
Well, given what he inherited, some would say yes. City had endured a nightmare campaign, lost six in a row and couldn’t score goals for love nor money when he arrived. Defensively, they were shipping goals left, right and centre. The squad was disorganised, disjointed and bereft of confidence when he arrived.
He tightened City up and in fact, only Leeds United, Burnley and Sheffield United conceded fewer than the 26 his side did and because they were the lowest scorers in the league, that renewed solidity was why they survived. Their points haul of 33 was the 12th best in the Championship during that period.
After disastrous home defeats to Luton Town and Derby County, coupled with poor away losses at Cardiff City and Watford, fans were left concerned and frustrated. Their form after the break saw them claim eight points from the final eight games, scoring just five goals, with just one deflected Abu Kamara against Coventry City effort from open play.
Many will say that Selles did what he had to do in the circumstances to keep the Tigers in the league, and now deserves a chance to show what he can do with a full pre-season and summer transfer window. Others will dispute that and believe an upgrade is needed.
What happens next?
Ilicali, along with sporting director Jared Dublin, head of recruitment Martin Hodge and board member Mustapha Yokes, are in Istanbul this week for a series of meetings. A host of topics are understood to be on the agenda, including recruitment. Key to their plan for the summer and beyond will centre on the future of Selles.
We’re still only a week or so beyond the end of the season for City, but there’s an acceptance that clarity is needed on whether the manager is to stay and be backed this summer, or be moved on and a new man brought in to oversee a huge pre-season.
Where’s the smart money?
It doesn’t take a lot of putting two and two together to read between the lines and see that Selles is on dodgy ground. The owner has not conducted any post-season media engagements, and it’s understood those will not be conducted until there is some clarity on the managerial situation.
While no final decision has yet been made, the signs are clearly pointing towards a change in the manager’s office in the coming days, judging by the current direction of travel.