Cardiff City manager candidate speaks out on his future amid 'unsustainable' situation
The manager is understood to be a name which has been discussed by higher-ups at Cardiff City Stadium
by Glen Williams · Wales OnlineReading manager Ruben Selles has admitted his future is uncertain and the situation in Berkshire is "unsustainable" amid links to the vacant Cardiff City post.
There are some at Cardiff who are big admirers of the Spaniard, who managed in the Premier League with Southampton after Nathan Jones but could not avoid relegation.
However, he has received praise for how he has managed the horrendous situation at Reading under the ownership of Dai Yongge, with Rob Couhig's takeover having collapsed last month.
READ MORE: The scenarios on the table in Cardiff City manager hunt and why fans keep banging the drum
Selles managed to keep Reading in League One last season despite a number of points deductions and has started this season admirably, too, having to rely on a number of young players and enduring a series of tough transfer windows.
Last month Selles said he had "had enough" of the situation at the Royals, adding: "All the bad situations that can happen in football have happened to me in the last 16 months. I’m not a person that likes to quit but I do need to reflect on where could be the ending point because I’m not happy with everything that’s happened."
And speaking at a charity event with the Reading FC Former Players’ Association, Selles did not completely dismiss the notion of leaving the club.
According to the Reading Chronicle, Selles said: "The ‘project’ is some word that is not the case of what we’re doing right now- we are surviving.
"In December last year, I forfeited my wages and there was no money to pay the technical staff fully before Christmas. I told my agent that you need to keep an eye in case somebody asks because we don’t know where this situation is going. I have my compromise; I think my compromise with Reading fans and the club cannot be doubted.
"When it’s about other clubs, I let my agent talk because if the moment arrives tomorrow, in two months or in a year, the first thing I would like to be is respectful to Reading.
"Right now, we are just surviving here, and I am giving 100 per cent every time but I don’t know what the future is going to be for Reading or myself because the situation is not sustainable in the long term."
There are some doubts over whether the 41-year-old would be able to handle Cardiff owner Vincent Tan. However, given how he has managed the situation at Reading over the last 18 months, some dismiss that concern.
Selles has also been praised for his style of football, while his faith in youth has also yielded results. Wales international and Reading midfielder Charlie Savage said this week of Selles: “I had to get out of playing under-21s football for Manchester United and experience playing men’s football. The learning you get playing for three points every week, you can’t mirror that.
“That learning is essential for any young player. You need games and minutes and to get that, especially under a manager like Rubén Selles, is really good.
“He is a manager who likes developing young players and gives them a chance. He showed that when had a 16-year-old [Andre Garcia] who's still at school play for us at the weekend; it’s a prime example that he will give you that chance. He wants to develop people’s games, and I’ve really enjoyed playing under him.”