Sheffield Wednesday sack Henrik Pedersen as Matt Hamshaw takes interim charge

Sheffield Wednesday have dismissed manager Henrik Pedersen 11 matches into their League One campaign, with the club eighth following successive losses to Notts County and Doncaster, The Mirror reports.

Matt Hamshaw, a former Wednesday player and Rotherham manager who was serving on Pedersen’s coaching staff, will lead the side on an interim basis while the club appoints a replacement. Wednesday’s next fixture is against Cambridge at Hillsborough on Tuesday 27 October.

Why Wednesday have made a change

Sporting director Simon Wilson said the decision reflected insufficient improvement in the team’s playing identity and consistency, despite the points collected.

Wilson said: “Although we have accumulated points, we haven’t seen enough progress in those areas. We believe making a change now gives us the best opportunity to establish those foundations and build towards the second half of the season and beyond.”

He also thanked Pedersen for his professionalism and contribution through a difficult period for the club.

Wednesday won four of their first five fixtures, before drawing 0-0 at home to both Wigan and Stockport. They also recorded a 5-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon, but the defeats at Meadow Lane and Doncaster were followed by supporters calling for Pedersen’s dismissal.

A tenure spanning administration and a takeover

Pedersen had moved up from his role as Danny Rohl’s assistant before last season. Wednesday collected 18 Championship points during that campaign, while an 18-point deduction left them on zero only after a final-day victory over West Brom — their first home win of the season.

The club entered administration after former owner Dejphon Chansiri’s departure. US-based consortium Arise completed its takeover on the final day of that campaign and retained Pedersen for the League One season, with 18 new players joining the squad.

Source: The Mirror