Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen has said he ‘just couldn’t say no’ to becoming their head coach in the summer.
Sheffield Wednesday turned to the Dane as their manager back in late July. SWFC picked him as their replacement for Danny Rohl.
Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.
Pedersen, 47, initially moved to Hillsborough back in October 2023. He formed part of Rohl’s backroom staff.
He has opened up about becoming their number one, as per an interview with The Times: “I had some interesting possibilities but I said to my wife, ‘The job I would love the most is to stay in Sheffield Wednesday,’ I love the city and the fans. My family is settled here. We like going for walks in the Peak District and my kids are happy at school.
“It’s a very big job because it’s a very traditional club with a big history, and there are so many good people in this club. I just couldn’t say no. That it would be difficult is not the question. The question is, ‘Which perspective do you give the situation every day?’ Do you take the responsibility and try to get the best out of what you can control, or are you going to be a victim of the situation and find excuses for not being who you want to be?”
Sheffield Wednesday struggling with off-field issues
Sheffield Wednesday are crying out for new owners behind the scenes. SWFC continue to be owned by the controversial Dejphon Chansiri and have had significant off-field issues over recent times.
Pedersen has had his work cut out and his squad is lacking experience and depth. Nevertheless, he has been a calming influence and has become popular among the supporters.
Image courtesy of: ED SYKES/REUTERS.
He wasn’t a player and started his coaching career with spells in his native Denmark with the likes of Holstebro Boldklub and Aarhus Gymnastikforening. He then linked up with the Red Bull organisation and worked with Red Bull Salzburg and Red Bulls Salzburg before leaving in 2014.
Pedersen went on to have stints as the number one with HB Køge, Eintracht Braunschweig, Strømsgodset and Vendsyssel before Sheffield Wednesday came calling, as well as spending some time in the coaching set-up of Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.
Henrik Pedersen’s Sheffield Wednesday managerial stats to date
What now for Sheffield Wednesday?
Sheffield Wednesday have won one of their first nine Championship fixtures. SWFC are in the drop zone along with Sheffield United and Oxford United and are one point from safety behind Blackburn Rovers in 21st.
The Owls were beaten 5-0 at home by high flying Coventry City last time out before the international break. They are back in action this weekend with an away trip to The Valley to play Charlton Athletic as they look to bounce back from their heavy defeat to the Sky Blues.
Their upcoming opponents were promoted from League One earlier this year after beating London rivals Leyton Orient in the play-off final at Wembley. The Addicks have since adapted well to the step up a division under the guidance of Nathan Jones.
Sheffield Wednesday had a tough summer and saw key players like Josh Windass, Michael Smith and Djeidi Gassama head out the exit door, among others. They weren’t able to do much incoming business at all and only brought in Ethan Horvath and Harry Amass.