Dave Challinor watched The Owls’ draw against Blackpool on Sunday

‘Exciting times’ lie ahead for Sheffield Wednesday and new manager Dave Challinor.

That is the opinion of Matt Hamshaw, who won promotion with The Owls in 2005, and has overseen the last two matches as interim boss following the sacking of Henrik Pedersen. Challinor was in the stands on Sunday to watch the 1-1 draw against Blackpool.

Challinor is the first managerial appointment for Arise, who completed a takeover of the club in May. The 51-year-old worked alongside Owls sporting director Simon Wilson at Stockport County for several years and now they will do so again at Hillsborough.

Challinor has won seven promotions as a manager with Stockport, Hartlepool United, AFC Fylde and Colwyn Bay. He was available after leaving The Hatters last summer following their play-off final defeat to Bolton Wanderers. With his excellent track record and experience, and the ambition of Arise, Hamshaw thinks the club is only heading in one direction, but patience will be needed.

“He's coming to an amazing club first and foremost,” Hamshaw said on Challinor’s appointment. “Dave's a real good bloke. He's a good manager. He's proven. He's coming into a club that I think can achieve amazing things through this ownership. It's going to need a bit of time. It's not going to be a quick fix thing. I mean, it might be, I really hope it is, but I think it's important that people remember we are building and what's happening here. Good appointment, good manager, it's going to be exciting times for the club.”

Hamshaw, who was manager of Rotherham United last season, lost twice to Challinor’s Stockport side last term so he knows exactly how tough his teams are to play against.

He added: “He's won a lot of games, hasn't he, over the years? So I think tactically he's very good. We played against his Stockport team a couple of times last year and they're difficult to play against. Play good football, tenacious, win the battles, understand the opposition, diligent. So yeah, I don't think I can give any more of a reference.”