Sheffield Wednesday icon Chris Waddle reveals why Henrik Pedersen is perfect for the Owls

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It may have been a turbulent summer for Sheffield Wednesday, with little sign of things improving off the pitch any time soon, but Chris Waddle believes the club is in good hands with Henrik Pedersen.

Stepping in to replace Danny Rohl was never going to be an easy task at the best of times, never mind amid all the chaos and uncertainty around Sheffield Wednesday right now.

For Henrik Pedersen, though, it’s been a challenging yet highly rewarding move in his career, with the Owls boss earning the affections of the Hillsborough fans swiftly thanks to his show of loyalty.

While Rohl was left with ‘no hope’ by Dejphon Chansiri’s actions, Pedersen appears to have taken it all in his stride and remains firmly focused on footballing matters as Wednesday fight for survival.

• READ MORE: Barry Bannan tops crucial Championship stat as Sheffield Wednesday ‘leader’ shines amid crisis

Chris Waddle is a big fan of Henrik Pedersen

Whether Pedersen can keep the Owls in the Championship or not, the Danish coach has earned praise across the board. The latest to back Pedersen is Wednesday icon Chris Waddle, who has been speaking to the Sheffield Star.

Waddle said: “He’s a really nice guy, he cares and his heart’s in the right place. He really wants to do well. I think he’s been dreaming of being a manager for a few seasons now, and I think he was waiting for an opportunity.

“He’s got his own ideas, he’s very sociable and he’ll sit and talk to people. I’m sure he can lose his temper and have a go at people if he needs to, but you can see like other modern-day managers he goes around shaking hands, putting his arm around players and having a laugh with them.”

We know Henrik Pedersen has the support of the players and has done since day one. Having got to know him on a personal level, Waddle can see why there is a strong sense of togetherness among the squad and coaching staff right now, but they are under no illusions as to the battle on their hands.

Waddle added: “He’s also very down to earth, and I get on very well with him — he’s not awkward, he’s just a straight-talker and easy going. And he really cares about Sheffield Wednesday, he’d love to keep them up this season.

“He’s just a normal guy, really, and he feels what’s going on — he’s giving it all he’s got, just like the players… Fair play, it’s going to be hard, and it’ll get harder, but he’s up for the challenge and he’s a strong character.”

Those words of support are not lost on Pedersen, with the Sheffield Wednesday manager previously outlining just how important it is to him to have someone like Waddle fighting his corner.

He told The Star: “Chris is a special guy. Of course he has great experience in this game and this club. It’s nice to have people around me who have tried something that I don’t have, and I like to have mirrors like Chris and other experienced former players, because they’ve done things that I haven’t.”

• READ MORE: Danny Rohl says critics got one thing ‘completely wrong’ about his time at Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday’s next five games are crucial

Sheffield Wednesday are still searching for their first win this season, and while they may be sitting above local rivals Sheffield United right now, that small victory won’t count for much come the end of the campaign.

The Owls have fought valiantly, especially on their travels. Indeed, it seems Sheffield Wednesday are better away from home and away from the hostile Hillsborough atmosphere right now. That has to change this weekend, though.

Sheffield Wednesday protests vs Bristol City will come at full-time, which means less disruption for the players during the game. It’s also a fixture Sheffield Wednesday have not lost in 13 years, and they’ll be desperate to keep that run going.

Beyond that, the Owls have winnable fixtures coming up away at Portsmouth and at home to QPR. They simply have to pick up points there, before very challenging ties against Birmingham City and Coventry City.

If we are still sat here talking about a winless Sheffield Wednesday by end of play on October 4th, then it may very well be relegation for the Owls this season.