Henrik Pedersen reveals all on Sheffield Wednesday problems, financial issues and why he won’t walk

Sheffield Wednesday head coach Henrik Pedersen has insisted their relegation is a picture of the previous ownership than anything else.

BOLD have an interview with the Sheffield Wednesday manager today. He discusses various aspects at the club as the Owls deal with the fallout of relegation to League One.

Sheffield Wednesday have already confirmed their relegation this season, which became official in recent days.

A 2–1 defeat to rivals Sheffield United at Bramall Lane sealed their fate. No team in the division’s history has suffered mathematical relegation this early.

Severe financial penalties have driven the relegation, with the club losing 18 points this year because of administration and multiple breaches of EFL regulations.

That was due to the mismanagement of previous owner Dejphon Chansiri. And Pedersen wants the blame pushed towards him.

“We have tried to postpone it for as long as possible,” he said.

“On the whole it is incredibly sad that a club like Sheffield Wednesday has already been relegated in February, but that is a picture of a previous owner and a situation that is far more complex than that.

“Now the point has been made. We have been relegated to League One. A new owner has not been found. So, it is extremely difficult to plan the future. I can say it very clearly.

“For me, for the staff and for the squad, it is about getting the best out of every day until May 2 and delivering the best possible performances. For the sake of our fans and everyone in and around the club.”

Difficult finances overshadowing everything

Finances are at the top of the pile of issues currently weighing Sheffield Wednesday down, largely due to Chansiri’s mismanagement.

Indeed, Kris Wigfield, one of the club’s administrators, recently shared details on the wage structure at the club. He pointed out that the squad for a recent game collectively earned less than the average salary of a player signed in the Championship in January.

The lack of money also affects other sides of the club. The club left staff unpaid for months at a time. That is another element Pedersen has had to deal with.

“When people who work at the club can’t pay their rent and electricity bills, then there are completely different things that matter than us losing a football match,” he added.

“That’s why it’s also been a different management style for me, where it’s about getting people to find acceptance and peace in what they’re in, so that they have the ability to deliver in the present. A derivative effect of all of this is that the culture at the club is somehow strengthened.

“And I think that’s the only reason why we’ve only been completely separated in a few games but instead have been able to compete more than we can realistically expect.”

Why he’s not walking away

Henrik Pedersen feels a responsibility to those around him. And that is why he simply hasn’t walked away from the situation.

“I can’t just abandon people. It’s so far from my nature,” he concluded.

“When I accepted the job, we knew it was going to be a difficult season. But we also hoped and believed that we would have a new owner in place before Christmas and the transfer window.

“So of course I can’t just tuck my tail between my legs and get away from this. I want to support and help them all the way. Of course I will. We can’t say that people come first and then just abandon ship.”