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Amid a disastrous exodus of players at Sheffield Wednesday this summer, Barry Bannan is staying put, and his new manager couldn’t be happier.
With players continuing to go unpaid at Sheffield Wednesday, there could still be more departures to come with the likes of Max Lowe thought to have handed in his notice of termination already.
A solution seems a million miles away still, considering Dejphon Chansiri’s apparent reluctance to strike a deal to sell the club.
However, among all the chaos, Barry Bannan signed a new contract to put an end to speculation over his future and delight the Owls fanbase.
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Henrik Pedersen on Barry Bannan’s new contract
The 2025/26 season is likely to be a massive struggle for Wednesday, with a threadbare squad already and no sign of quality reinforcements to come.
So, for new manager Henrik Pedersen, the fact that club captain Barry Bannan is staying put is a pretty big deal.
Speaking to the club website, Pedersen said: “To say I am happy at the news that Barry has signed a new contract with the club, it would be an understatement!
“Even with the uncertainties and other clubs wanting him, I never lost hope that Barry’s love of the club and the fans would convince him to stay.
“I must be honest, I also did everything I could to let him know how much I wanted him to stay and be at my side this season. He is so important to us as a team and to the fans.”
It’s thought Bannan had interest from Middlesbrough and Millwall recently, but opted to stick with his beloved Owls due to his family.
Discussing Bannan’s decision, Pedersen added: “When he called me to say he’d decided to stay, I was elated. Players like Barry are hard to find in the modern game. He is a great player, a great leader and a great person. Having him stay at the club is a huge boost for the fans, the staff and his teammates.
“For me personally, I get to continue working with a great player who does so many great things for our team, but whilst I have to operate from the sidelines, Barry will deliver my message on the pitch!
“We have had many discussions about the season ahead and Barry knows and understands what I want and need from the players. The respect I have for Barry is already known, and we as a club are lucky to have our captain stay with us.”
- READ MORE: EFL to step in with temporary Sheffield Wednesday solution amid Dejphon Chansiri wages failure
Barry Bannan ready to give his all for Henrik Pedersen
Sheffield Wednesday players were not happy with Danny Rohl prior to his exit from S6. But, clearly, Bannan is a big fan of Henrik Pedersen, and it sounds like the Danish coach was a major factor in Bannan’s new contract.
In the same interview, Bannan said: “I was delighted to see Henrik get the job. He’s been here last season, he knows the place, he knows the lads, and he’s a wonderful guy as well.
“He made it clear where his heart was a few weeks ago when he came in when he didn’t have a contract to say goodbye to the lads.”
That new contract came eventually for Pedersen, and the fact he committed his future to Wednesday was enough to earn him the undying admiration of the playing staff.
Bannan added: “He wanted to be involved and then signed a new contract as assistant manager and now as manager. Henrik knew we were struggling and he was there for us.
“We owe a lot to Henrik because he came at a time when we needed him. I can safely say now that Henrik will have the full backing of the players and we will give our all because what he did a few weeks ago, for what he did for us as players, will never be forgotten.”
We know Owls players love Pedersen, now they just need to show it on the football pitch if they are to achieve the unthinkable and stay in the second tier in 2025/26.