Reading FC manager Ruben Selles reflected in charge and expanded on his concerns going into the job, as well as some of the challenges he and his staff have faced.
Selles has had to deal with several off the field problems throughout his first season in charge, but managed to secure League One survival despite being deducted six points.
The Spaniard spoke about his concerns at the previous problems at Reading before he joined in an article with The Coaches Voice.
He said: “The club that came in for me was Reading. That energetic, dynamic Arsenal game had been the platform for them to meet with me.
“We talked, and everything was agreed on how we wanted to do things.
“I had concerns about what had happened before, with the late payment of wages, but was told those times were gone and we would have a certain budget.
“As soon as we started, everything changed.
“But I always thought that we had a powerful idea. It was my team, and I had a group of players who were working really hard. I’m proud of the decision and the season that we made.
Selles also expanded on some of the mistakes he believes he made in his first campaign regarding the club’s ownership issues.
He said: “In the beginning, we made some mistakes. I paid a lot of attention to whether there would be a takeover.
“Our start to the season was not ideal, but it needs to be put into a context beyond the formation.
“We didn’t have a proper pre-season and were in a transfer embargo. Because the club didn’t pay HMRC, we were not able to register players for the EFL. We had to wait until HMRC were paid before we were able to register players.
“Of the players who were available, the majority came from the academy, with no experience of football at the professional level.
“One of the biggest decisions that we made was to give them the chance to play, compete, develop and, in the end, to deliver performances and results. How they grew into the challenge is probably the thing that I am most proud of.
“So the improvement in our results was not only due to the change of shape. It was also through the process of the dressing room moving forward together.
“During this process, in September and February, we had our second and third points deductions of the season, having started with a points penalty. We also had a situation over whether wages would be paid.
“There were many challenges, but perhaps it being my first full season as a head coach was key.
“Reading had been the first club to come to me and say: “This is your team.” That is how I always saw them, and the feeling inside me was that I needed to make this team work and compete.
“Of course, you don’t have the strength every day to always be on top form, but every day you need to give your maximum. That fire is what kept me trying to make the very best of the situation.
“In the beginning, we made some mistakes. I paid a lot of attention to whether there would be a takeover. Is this potential owner coming? You meet with them, thinking maybe the situation will change.
“After a while, I decided to pay no more attention to the rumours, and not to meet anybody who interviews possible new owners. Instead, I kept my full focus on the pitch.”
The team managed to seal their survival in the league with two games to spare and Selles said: “The feeling of securing our place in League One was amazing. At one time, we had been 10 points away from safety. With two games left to play, we were already safe. That was a big achievement.
“Another success was the feeling that we created together. There were nearly 20,000 at the stadium celebrating at the last game, and I think the biggest achievement of the season was to recover, for the club, a connection with its fans.
“At the beginning of the season, the supporters understood a little bit of what was going on, but not fully.
“You are not able to communicate everything to them, because of confidentiality that sometimes you need to keep.
“But some things started to be made public by the club, and the fans started to understand the challenge; not only for the manager, but also for the staff and players.
“Nobody from the club deserves to have a season like the last one.
“Staff were being fired, or relocated, or not being paid more than 50 per cent on time. Players were leaving the club without a proper dialogue. But the fans started to connect, to feel that they wanted the club back. And they supported us.
“They saw a team that was fighting together to keep the club alive – their club, that they have supported since they were kids.
“Not just fighting to keep it in League One, but to keep it alive. That feeling started to grow and grow. We grew as a team, built bridges and then, in the last few months, every game at home and away, they grew as a fanbase. It was fantastic, and we really appreciated their support.”
To read the full article, visit: https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/ruben-selles-reading/
