Dave Challinor is the favourite for the Sheffield Wednesday manager’s job

A former Tranmere Rovers defender who is best-remembered for having a long throw might not be seen as a ‘sexy’ appointment for Sheffield Wednesday but Dave Challinor’s record suggests he would be a sound addition should that be the case.

The 51-year-old, from Chester, is the red-hot favourite for the job because of his links with Owls sporting director Simon Wilson, whom he worked with for seven seasons at Stockport County and had great success. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but all the signs point towards Challinor being a strong contender.

He has been dubbed the ‘master of promotion’ after seven successes in total when in charge of Colwyn Bay, AFC Fylde, Hartlepool United and Stockport County. He has also won the FA Trophy and was named the LMA League Two Manager of the Year in 2024. He is a winner. And that is something The Owls have not done a lot of in the last 18 months. He also knows how to challenge at the top of League One having agonisingly missed out on another promotion with Stockport at Wembley last term.

Remarkably, Challinor’s teams have either finished in the play-offs or higher in 15 of 16 seasons as a manager. That is an incredible stat. People may pour cold water on it because it was done in the lower leagues. But you could argue he has earned his stripes and that he deserves a big opportunity. His career seems to have been building up to this point. It is not often a manager with his CV is available on a free and his career is still on an upwards trajectory rather being on its way down.

Challinor, a League Cup runner-up as a player with Tranmere Rovers, likes to play possession-based football but with a purpose. He will pick a formation that best suits the players he has got rather than put square pegs in round holes just to fit a ‘philosophy.’ He wants his teams to have control but, ultimately, he wants to ‘steamroll’ teams and just win. What’s not to like?

His former players say he puts a lot of demands on them. He doesn’t take any rubbish, is not afraid to tell players home truths and upset them. He is straight-talking and will hold people to account.

It remains to be seen whether Challinor is the man The Owls opt for. He has never managed in the Championship. Why not with Wednesday?