Craig Mudd situation explained with Sheffield Wednesday absentee subject of Manchester City approach
The absence of influential assistant coach Craig Mudd has been noted on Sheffield Wednesday’s training camp in Hungary.
Sheffield Wednesday are working through a situation that looks likely to see assistant coach Craig Mudd leave the club to return to a Premier League giant.
Owls boss Henrik Pedersen spoke to The Star from the club’s pre-season training camp on the outskirts of Budapest to confirm that Wednesday had received an official approach from Manchester City for Mudd, who made the switch from the Etihad Campus in September last year.
Asked directly on the reason for Mudd’s continued absence from their pre-season engagements, Pedersen said in matter-of-fact fashion: “There is an approach from another club. So until there is a solution, then he stays home. This is the situation.”
Mudd’s exit leaves something of a hole in Wednesday’s coaching operation, though plans are already moving forwards with sourcing a replacement should the 39-year-old complete his switch back across the Pennines. It is understood that City’s interest in the South Yorkshire-born coach is linked with the departure of Ben Wilkinson from their under-21 manager’s role after he joined John Eustace’s backroom staff at Derby County.
The Star understands that Sascha Milicevic, a former colleague of Pedersen’s who has been previously considered for a position at the club, is not likely to become Mudd’s replacement should he move on as expected.
Analyst Ben King has some experience coaching and has stepped up to watch over some drills in Budapest. A longer-term solution will be sought and Pedersen said conversations with prospective new additions have taken place as he seeks to ensure the right fit is found.
“I have tried to modify a little bit in the coaching group now, to see how we can develop things,” Pedersen said. “Then I have conversations in the background with potential new coaches.
“But I'm using this week here (in Hungary) to find out what we have and what we need in the future. So I have had more conversations, but I have not had the right feeling yet. This week here will give me a clear picture of what we have internally and what we need to take the next step as a group again.”