Sheffield Wednesday's next manager: Nigel Pearson, Paul Cook, Tony Pulis and Ryan Lowe - what will they offer?
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Nigel Pearson
Needs no introduction to Wednesdayites.
The Rumbelows Cup hero is always linked with the job but he has previously said he does not want to manage the club while he and his family live in the city.
“Sheffield has been such a big part of my life and family's life that I don't really want to put that at risk for a job,” he told The Star last year. “You never say never but I like living in Sheffield.”
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Hide AdPearson would galvanise the club and get the fans instantly on side. He would command respect and bring a no-nonsense approach.
Just last week chairman Dejphon Chansiri said the biggest problem at Hillsborough is the players’ consistency and mentality. Pearson would be the man to address that but it depends whether he is willing to take a risk.
If, as Chansiri said, that promotion is always the main aim at S6, then Pearson has to be top of Wednesday’s list.
Paul Cook
His record is very impressive.
He has won the League Two title twice with Chesterfield and Portsmouth and the League One crown with Wigan Athletic.
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Hide AdHe can count himself unlucky to have a relegation on his CV after the Latics plunged into administration and suffered a 12-point deduction last season.
The 53-year-old has a likeable personality and is a strong candidate for the job. But one question would be how far could he take the Owls? Avoiding relegation and finishing mid-table is fine this campaign, but could he propel Wednesday up the league the following season?
Tony Pulis
Some people might turn their nose up at Pulis because of his ‘ugly’ style of play but it is not like Wednesday have been playing teams off the park for the last 20 years is it? Would it be pretty? No. Would they win games? Yes.
Pulis, who won promotion to the top flight with Stoke City and led them to an FA Cup final, has been written off by some people and labelled a ‘dinosaur’ so maybe he has a point to prove.
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Hide AdPulis would probably bring Owls favourite Gary Megson in as his number two which would help his cause.
One concern would be that Wednesday are having problems scoring goals and Pulis is better known for improving leaky defences.
Ryan Lowe
Out of all of the candidates, he is the most intriguing.
He is still in the early stages of his managerial career but he already has two promotions on his CV with Bury and Plymouth Argyle.
Lowe, 42, was a fans’ favourite during a short spell at the club in the 2011/12 promotion season from League One.
Would he want the job? Definitely.
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Hide AdSpeaking to The Star back in March, Lowe said: “I'm still learning my trade but at some point in the future, I'd love to manage Sheffield Wednesday. I'd like to think one day I could manage the football club.”
But is it a bit soon for him? Could the job be too big for him? Or is a bright, young manager full of ideas exactly what the Owls need right now?