Sheffield Wednesday in Turmoil as Pedersen Steps In
Sheffield Wednesday have appointed Henrik Pedersen as their new manager, following the departure of Danny Rohl earlier this week. The 47-year-old Dane, who previously served as Rohl's assistant since October 2023, recently signed a contract extension with the club.
Club in Turmoil Amid Managerial Change
The appointment comes during a turbulent period for the Championship club. Recent developments include:
- The closure of Hillsborough's North Stand due to structural concerns
- Multiple player departures in recent weeks
- Repeated wage payment delays in May, June, and July
- Ongoing registration embargoes
- No progress on owner Dejphon Chansiri's attempts to sell the club
Reports suggest players may refuse to participate in Saturday's training match against Burnley, raising concerns about their availability for the season opener against Leicester City on August 10.
Pedersen Vows to Weather the Storm
The new manager acknowledged the challenges ahead in his statement to the club website:
"Is this going to be easy? No! We are maybe in 'rough waters' at the moment but as a proud Dane I can tell you that like our Viking ancestors, stormy seas don't bother us too much."
Pedersen, who has managerial experience in Denmark, Germany and Norway, called for fan support during this transitional period.
Expert Analysis: A Daunting Challenge
Rob Staton, BBC Radio Sheffield reporter
The situation presents significant obstacles for Pedersen:
- Potential player boycott of upcoming matches
- Possible points deduction from EFL charges
- Limited squad options if senior players refuse to participate
- Ongoing ownership uncertainty
With the club currently favorites for relegation, Pedersen faces the difficult task of stabilizing the team while awaiting potential ownership changes.
