Sheffield Wednesday identify ideal replacement for Danny Rohl as Southampton rumours persist

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Sheffield Wednesday have identified the man to replace Danny Rohl should the head coach depart for Southampton in the summer.

Danny Rohl has impressed at the helm of the Owls since taking over in October 2023.

Against all the odds last season, he managed to achieve Championship survival on the final day and has built upon that this campaign.

Sheffield Wednesday may have lost the Steel City derby last weekend, keeping them six points off sixth, but they are still in with an outside chance of being Championship play-off candidates.

This has caught the attention of Southampton, who have identified him as the man to return them to the Premier League next season, as the south coast side are expected to be relegated from the top flight this campaign.

Wednesday assistant Henrik Pedersen could replace Danny Rohl

The current Sheffield Wednesday assistant coach, Henrik Pedersen, is the Owls’ top target to replace the German should he decide to leave for St. Mary’s this summer.

That is according to journalist Alan Nixon, reporting via Patreon, who has said that Pedersen is liked by the Owls hierarchy, and they believe his experience makes him the best candidate to replace Rohl.

The 47-year-old decided to leave his role as manager of Danish side Vendsyssel FF in October 2023 to join Sheffield Wednesday as an assistant coach, becoming a key member of Rohl’s backroom staff.

Pedersen will have a decision to make should Rohl decide to move to Southampton, a club he has been heavily linked with for a sustained period now.

The German had been the favourite to take over at the south coast club upon their decision to relieve Russell Martin from his duties in December, but they were unwilling to pay Rohl’s compensation fee and so opted for Ivan Juric on an 18-month contract.

Nixon has reported that the compensation fee will be reduced to below £4m upon the relegation of Southampton to the Championship. 

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What experience would Henrik Pedersen bring as manager of Sheffield Wednesday

It would be believed that the Danish coach would continue using the style that fans have enjoyed under current boss Rohl, an approach that has been successful in maintaining their Championship status.

The 47-year-old has been coaching for almost 28 years, beginning as a youth coach for a number of Danish clubs before moving to RB Salzburg as a youth coach in 2008.

Since then he has been well-traveled, with his coaching roles having spent time in managerial roles in Norway, Germany, Denmark, and Ghana, respectively.

Sheffield Wednesday would be the most high-profile position of his career, should he be appointed head coach upon the expected departure of Rohl in the summer.

While Wednesday fans may be saddened by the departure of the 35-year-old German, a continuation of his ideas and methods under Pedersen may be the best thing for the club. Rohl’s release clause may state otherwise, however.

Doubts and reservations about his appointment should be eased by the admiration the players, hierarchy, and Rohl all have for the Danish coach.