Sheffield Wednesday's newest manager, Hendrik Pedersen, expresses his joy and pride following his appointment.
Sheffield Wednesday have appointed Henrik Pedersen as their new manager, with the Dane expressing his pride and ambition to bring success back to Hillsborough. Pedersen, who joined the club as an assistant manager in October 2023, was promoted to the top role in July 2025, signing a reported three-year contract.
Pedersen's managerial career spans across Denmark, Germany, Norway, and England, with stints at various clubs and teams. His previous roles include youth manager roles at several Danish clubs and Red Bull Salzburg, first team manager at HB Køge, assistant manager at Union Berlin, manager of Eintracht Braunschweig, Strømsgodset, and Vendsyssel FF, and assistant head coach at Sheffield Wednesday.
The tenure at Strømsgodset ended amid allegations of racist remarks, a controversial aspect of Pedersen's managerial past. However, sources highlight Pedersen's "fighting spirit and a positive outlook," suggesting hopes for a resilient and constructive leadership style to navigate Sheffield Wednesday’s Championship campaign.
Pedersen and his family have moved to Sheffield, and he considers the city as his home. Acknowledging the current challenges at the club, Pedersen compares the situation to stormy seas that the Vikings faced. He values the people of Sheffield and asks for patience from the fans as they work towards improvement.
Pedersen's first game as manager will be away to Leicester City on August 10. The new manager expresses his belief that the fans are crucial to the success of Sheffield Wednesday and compares the supporters to the Vikings' shieldmaidens, standing strong in the face of adversity.
Pedersen's appointment comes after Danny Rohl, the previous manager, left the club after winning 34 of his 89 games (38.2%) in all competitions. Pedersen made these comments on the Sheffield Wednesday club website, expressing his excitement and commitment to the club and its players.
With Pedersen at the helm, Sheffield Wednesday fans look forward to a fresh start and the prospect of improved performances in the 2025/26 season. Pedersen's varied European coaching background and internal familiarity as assistant manager aim to bring a new energy and direction to the club.
Pedersen's diverse coaching background in Danish, German, Norwegian, and English clubs, including football teams like HB Køge, Eintracht Braunschweig, Strømsgodset, Vendsyssel FF, and Union Berlin, demonstrates his potential to bring the sports-analysis skills he's honed to Sheffield Wednesday's business strategy, aiming to secure a prosperous career in English football. During his youth manager roles and assistances, he exhibited a fighting spirit and a positive outlook—qualities that could translate into effective sports-finance management for Sheffield Wednesday, ensuring the club's continued growth and success in the challenging football industry.
