Hull set to sack Ruben Selles after draw v Portsmouth on final day
Portsmouth may have struck the final nail in Ruben Selles’ coffin after drawing 1-1 with Hull City on the final day of the Championship season.
Pompey extended their unbeaten run to five matches on Saturday (3 May) as substitute Christian Saydee cancelled out Matt Crooks’ first-half goal at Fratton Park.
With Championship status confirmed, Pompey will look to the summer transfer window to solidify their position in the league next season.
Meanwhile, it looks set to be a more chaotic couple of months at Hull.
Hull to part with Selles next season
Hull, like Portsmouth, will be planning to cement their place in the Championship next season, and look set to part ways with Selles this summer.
The battle to avoid relegation came down to the final match day, with the Tigers securing a Championship spot thanks to West Brom’s 5-3 victory against Luton Town at the Hawthorns (3 May).
Despite staying up, the decision to axe Selles may have been influenced by the draw against Pompey, where Hull were unable to determine their own destiny, and were forced to rely on results elsewhere.
Mike White, Sports Editor for BBC Humberside and BBC Humberside Sport, has since reported (6 May) that a managerial change is imminent, with Tony Mowbray an emerging replacement.
Portsmouth in for a busy summer window
Pompey have had an impressive return to the Championship, but with relegation always on the cards, they must prepare this summer to establish themselves as a competitive side next season.
Freddie Potts, an important figure in their campaign this season, played his last game in a Portsmouth shirt on Saturday (3 May).
The midfielder, who sent an emotional farewell to Portsmouth supporters on Instagram, will be a difficult player to replace.
However, re-signing attacking midfielder Adil Aouchiche from Sunderland, currently out with a fractured bone, to soften the blow, even on loan, seems unlikely at this stage.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Freddie Potts | 37 | 1 | 4 |
| Adil Aouchiche | 20 | 1 | 2 |
While Mousinho’s side requires greater attacking options in their pursuit to climb the Championship table next season, Aouchiche’s output – one goal and two assists in 20 league games – would hamper the progress his side aims to make.
Now, with Championship status guaranteed and Portsmouth’s goals fixed for the new season, Pompey will need to enlist the services of players capable of leading them to newer, greater heights.