Sheffield Wednesday: Carvalhal thrilled to raise the Owls' profile

The charismatic Portuguese chief, a surprise choice to succeed Stuart Gray last summer, has turned around the Hillsborough outfit’s fortunes.

The former Sporting Lisbon and Besiktas chief has guided them to a top-six Championship finish and the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup.

Speaking at his press briefing today, Carvalhal, named the Manager of the Year at The Star Football Awards last night, said: “We have had a big impact in Portugal. Last week when we reached the play-offs, Portugal has three daily sports newspapers, and one of them had two pages on Sheffield Wednesday, a big page in the other two.

“It’s important to them, Wednesday have been on TV too, it’s good for the club.

“I am very proud when I hear the name Sheffield Wednesday in my country.”

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Carvalhal takes Wednesday to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday looking to end a positive year on a high note. The Owls secured their play-off spot after cruising to a 3-0 success over Cardiff City last weekend.

Carvalhal, who has hinted he will make wholesale changes at Molineux, regards Wednesday as underdogs for promotion. They will face either Middlesbrough or Brighton and Hove Albion in the Play-Off Semi-Finals.

The first leg will take place at Hillsborough a week tomorrow.

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