League One Sheffield Wednesday have sacked head coach Henrik Pedersen after less than 15 months in charge following two defeats in five days. Pedersen's final match in charge was a 2-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers in a South Yorkshire derby on Saturday, when fans called for the 48-year-old to leave after seeing their side concede twice inside the first 17 minutes. Matt Hamshaw, who was sacked by Rotherham United after less than a year in charge last season before becoming a coach at Wednesday in August, has taken over on an interim basis and will oversee the visit of sixth-placed Cambridge United on Tuesday.
The Owls, who were relegated last season in record time after a disastrous 2025-26 that was beset by financial problems, fan protests and an 18-point penalty, are currently eighth in the table, two points outside the play-off places. In a statement, Wednesday said Pedersen had provided "stability and leadership" during an "exceptional period in the club's history". Sporting Director Simon Wilson said the club had expected the start of the season to be "difficult" but offer "a recognisable style of play and greater consistency in our performances".
"Although we have accumulated points, we haven't seen enough progress in those areas," added , externalWilson. "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." Dane Pedersen also oversaw a 2-0 defeat at Notts County on Tuesday as part of a run of one win in six league matches, with Wednesday failing to score in four of those games. Speaking after the defeat to Rovers, Pedersen said he had heard chants directed against him by fans.
"I'm hurting like they are hurt," Pedersen told BBC Radio Sheffield. "After zero points from two games, I'm not happy... nobody is happy. "I'm sure we can bounce back and have a strong season." 'Wednesday can't keep playing this poorly' Has Pedersen got the most difficult job in English football?
Troubled Sheff Wed appoint Pedersen as manager Pederson, who had been predecessor Danny Rohl's assistant, signed a two-year contract to take over following the German's exit by mutual consent 12 days before the start of last season. The Owls suffered the earliest relegation in EFL history in Pedersen's first campaign in charge in a chaotic season that saw fans boycotting matches and protests against then owner Dejphon Chansiri's running of the club that brought administration and an eventual 18-point penalty. A 2-1 home win over West Bromwich Albion on the final day of last season was Wednesday's first in all competitions for seventh months as they finished with two victories, 32 defeats and a goal difference of -60 in the Championship.
Chansiri's reign officially ended in May with the takeover of the club by US consortium Arise Capital Partners. Pedersen won four of his first five league matches this season including a 7-2 home victory over Bromley, but Wednesday's untimely loss of momentum has seen them slip out of the top six and cost Pedersen his job. Follow Sheffield Wednesday on BBC Sounds Pre-match, post-match and topical Owls content Subscribe and listen for everything you love about Sheffield Wednesday The writing was on the wall once the fans turned at Notts County and Doncaster Rovers.
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