Exclusive:Sheffield Wednesday make u-turn on fate of recruitment chief Kevin Beadell
Administrators at Sheffield Wednesday have made a u-turn on the immediate fate of head of recruitment Kevin Beadell, The Star understands.
The former Cardiff City man, who was brought to Hillsborough in December 2023 and has overseen five transfer windows for the club, was told some weeks ago that with the club still in administration his rolling monthly consultancy contract would not be extended and that his services would not be required into March. Beadell was also advised that the club’s then-preferred bidders were not intending to take up his services longer-term should they assume ownership.
In a shock twist, The Star can reveal that Beadell’s rolling agreement with the club will now be continued, meaning Wednesday will retain a recruitment chief heading into what is sure to be a manic summer of squad rebuild.
The would-be takeover of a consortium led by former poker player and analytics enthusiast James Bord collapsed in midweek. It has been suggested that while the recruitment window between now and the summer is closed, administrators have now felt it important to retain Beadell to guard against any threat of Wednesday being left short should the administration period stretch on into an important summer.
The Star is also told that some interested parties have requested the work of the recruitment department be continued so as not to be working from a standing start when any takeover is complete.
Beadell is well respected at S6 and has been praised for his efforts in bolstering Wednesday’s squad despite heavy recruitment restrictions, often fulfilling squad places at short notice. One man who will be encouraged by the development is Owls manager Henrik Pedersen, who has worked closely alongside Beadell throughout their time together at the club.
“I have the biggest respect for Kevin and the job he has done for us,” the Dane said after the Owls’ midweek defeat at Norwich City. “I have really enjoyed the cooperation with him. I think he is a very good man. Right now, as long as we do not have a new owner, we cannot plan for the future.”
Asked whether he’d welcome the opportunity to work alongside Beadell in the future, Pedersen said: “I think Kevin is a very experienced man and has a great network. He has done a great job for us. So, of course, to have him as a partner will also be good.”