Next Sheffield Wednesday owner urged to make Henrik Pedersen decision by former Owls star
Henrik Pedersen is being backed to get the chance to stay on Sheffield Wednesday boss once a new owner has been installed.
Former Sheffield Wednesday utility player Michael Gray believes manager Henrik Pedersen deserves the opportunity to try and take the club forward under new ownership.
After Danny Röhl departed Hillsborough in July, Pedersen, who arrived in South Yorkshire alongside Röhl in October 2023, stepped up from assistant manager to take the top job.
The Owls were already in dire straits at the time of Pedersen being installed as manager, but the situation soon worsened amid former owner Dejphon Chansiri’s disastrous running of the club. A chaotic summer meant pre-season was a shambles, the squad was left threadbare and only two new signings - both of which arrived on loan - were permitted.
After going into administration in October triggered an automatic 12-point deduction, Wednesday were left on -6, before a further six points were docked from their tally at the beginning of this month due to the club’s failure to fulfil its financial obligations earlier this year.
Unsurprisingly, Wednesday’s off-field woes has had a direct impact on matters on the pitch, so much so they have won just one of their opening 19 Championship matches this season. However, none of the blame can be attached to Pedersen, who has tried to keep things as normal as possible for his players in such testing circumstances.
With administrators hopeful of the club being under new ownership in the not too distant future, Gray, who finished his playing career at Hillsborough in 2010, believes Pedersen deserves an opportunity to take Wednesday forward, starting next season in League One amid the likelihood of the club being relegated this term.
Gray backs Pedersen to get the chance to lead the Owls forward
“Well look, again, it's so difficult, isn't it, to try and judge a man whose hands are pretty much tied behind his back,” Gray, speaking exclusively to The Star, via the home of online casino, said.
“You've also got a squad of players that are not being paid. I think he deserves a lot of credit. Every time I've seen him do an interview, or I've seen him in front of the camera, he keeps things in-house as much as he possibly can.
“I think he's kept his dignity, as a lot of the players have as well. For those players, even just to keep turning up and training every single day and playing every single week, they deserve a heck of a lot of credit.
“I think everybody kind of knew it was going to be a tough season for Sheffield Wednesday, but those players deserve a pat on the back. I think Barry Bannan's the one that seems to front everything for the players' side of things. He's going to go down as a legend at the football club.
“But, yes, the manager's done a decent enough job, and I just hope he's given the opportunity, because of what he's had to go through, to maybe give Sheffield Wednesday the chance to bounce back.”