Despite technically still being under contract, Danny Röhl’s position at Sheffield Wednesday remains increasingly uncertain following a tumultuous end to the 2024/25 season.
The German coach, who masterminded the club’s dramatic Championship survival, has not been publicly confirmed for the upcoming campaign, and his silence has prompted a flurry of speculation. With tensions reportedly rising between Röhl and owner Dejphon Chansiri, fans and media alike are anticipating a possible departure — and attention has turned to who might be next in line.
In the absence of official betting markets, various names have surfaced as potential successors. There are no odds as yet, but they will surface in the coming days and give you a big decision to make – we’re helping you get ahead of the curve.
Sheffield Wednesday’s history of volatile managerial changes fuels further intrigue — since 2000, the club have appointed over 15 permanent bosses. It’s a trend that gives any such market real weight, with fans and punters alike looking for signals amid the chaos. Market reactions often reflect whispers in the media, behind-the-scenes movements, or simply who fits the Owls’ revolving door template.
Who Will Be the Sheffield Wednesday Manager?
Several candidates are being discussed as potential successors should Danny Röhl depart Hillsborough this summer.
Des Buckingham (Top Candidate)
Overview: Des Buckingham is a highly respected English coach who most recently managed Oxford United, guiding them to Championship promotion via the 2023–24 League One play-offs. Prior to that, he led Mumbai City in the Indian Super League and worked with New Zealand’s national youth teams and Olympic squad. Buckingham also spent time within the City Football Group, notably at Melbourne City, where he developed a reputation for detailed preparation and a progressive coaching philosophy.
Strengths and Style: Buckingham’s sides typically play front-foot, possession-based football, with a strong emphasis on tactical flexibility and player development. His calm touchline demeanour and structured approach have earned praise from players and pundits alike. At 40, he is seen as part of a new generation of tactically astute, modern coaches with international breadth.
Links to Role: Although no direct links to Sheffield Wednesday have emerged publicly, his recent departure from Oxford United by mutual consent has placed him among the names being discussed as a potential successor to Danny Röhl, should a vacancy arise.
Neil Critchley
Overview: Neil Critchley is a well-regarded English coach with experience across multiple EFL levels. He first rose to prominence as manager of Blackpool, guiding them to promotion from League One in 2021. Prior to that, he held key roles within Liverpool’s academy, even taking charge of the first team for two cup fixtures during fixture congestion. Critchley also had a brief spell at Aston Villa as Steven Gerrard’s assistant and later managed Queens Park Rangers during the 2022–23 season, followed by a stint at Hearts in the Scottish Premiership, which ended in 2024.
Strengths and Style: Known for his tactical discipline and calm leadership, Critchley’s teams often favour possession-based football with strong defensive organisation. His experience developing young players, particularly during his time at Liverpool and Blackpool, adds another dimension to his appeal.
Links to Role: Critchley has been out of work since leaving Hearts and is frequently mentioned in discussions about available Championship and upper League One posts. His blend of experience and development credentials makes him a logical candidate if Wednesday choose to part ways with Danny Röhl.
Tom Cleverley
Overview: Tom Cleverley transitioned into management after a playing career that included spells at Manchester United, Aston Villa, Everton, and Watford, as well as 13 caps for England. Following his retirement in 2023, Cleverley quickly moved into coaching at Watford, initially taking charge of the U18s before being appointed interim head coach of the first team in March 2024. He impressed during that short spell and was named permanent manager in April 2024, but left the club in May 2025 after a 15th-place finish in the Championship.
Strengths and Style: Cleverley has earned praise for his composed leadership, tactical maturity, and ability to organise sides quickly under pressure. Drawing on his elite-level playing background, he encourages structured, high-energy football and is regarded as a clear communicator with modern coaching values.
Links to Role: Currently unattached, Cleverley is among the more progressive young coaches on the market. Though not directly linked to Sheffield Wednesday, his availability and recent Championship experience could appeal if the club seeks a dynamic long-term appointment.
Johannes Hoff Thorup
Overview: Johannes Hoff Thorup is a Danish coach who gained recognition for his work at FC Nordsjælland, where he established a reputation for high-intensity, youth-driven football. In May 2024, he was appointed head coach of Norwich City, replacing David Wagner. His time at Carrow Road was short-lived, however, and he was dismissed in April 2025 after a poor run of form left Norwich adrift of the play-off places in the Championship.
Strengths and Style: Thorup’s coaching philosophy centres on proactive, possession-based play with a strong emphasis on pressing and player development. At Nordsjælland, he helped nurture one of Denmark’s most exciting young squads, earning plaudits for both tactical structure and long-term planning. His methodology is influenced by Danish and Dutch coaching systems, and he is considered a modern, analytical thinker.
Links to Role: Having been recently dismissed, Thorup is available and remains a coach of significant interest to data-driven clubs seeking a European model. While there are no formal links to Sheffield Wednesday yet, he fits the profile of a bold, forward-thinking appointment should the club decide to part ways with Danny Röhl.
Dave Challinor
Overview: Dave Challinor is currently manager of Stockport County, having led them to the League Two title in 2023–24 and a strong League One finish in 2024–25. His managerial career began at Colwyn Bay, followed by successful spells at AFC Fylde and Hartlepool United, where he achieved promotion back to the EFL. He took over at Stockport in November 2021 and has since overseen their climb through the divisions with a reputation for consistency and winning football.
Strengths and Style: Challinor is known for building resilient, hard-working teams with a strong defensive foundation and a direct, purposeful style of play. His record in securing promotions and maintaining upward momentum makes him a go-to figure for clubs seeking stability and structure. He also brings a pragmatic approach and clear tactical identity.
Links to Role: While not directly linked to Sheffield Wednesday, Challinor’s success in the lower leagues and Stockport’s well-organised rise make him a credible candidate should the club favour a proven EFL operator with a track record of overachievement.
How to Bet on the Sheffield Wednesday Manager
Placing a bet on the next Sheffield Wednesday manager is straightforward and can be done in just a few steps. However, very few bookmakers will open markets until they are confirmed as looking for a new boss. When that happens, follow this guide.
Find a Bookmaker: Choose a reputable football betting site that offers odds on the Sheffield Wednesday manager market. (Best Football Betting Sites UK 2025 | Footy Bookmakers)
Locate the Market: Navigate through the site to find the next Sheffield Wednesday betting options.
Select Your Candidate: Choose the manager you believe is most likely to be appointed.
Add to Bet Slip: Click on your selection to add them to your betting slip.
Set Your Stake: Enter the amount you wish to wager.
Confirm Your Bet: Finalise your bet and place it through the bookmaker.
Monitor Updates: Keep track of odds changes and news to adjust your bets accordingly.
Understanding Managerial Betting Markets
Manager betting markets let you predict who will be appointed next, who’ll be sacked first, or who will be hired before others. Odds shift quickly with rumours, interviews, or club statements.
Sheffield Wednesday Managerial History & Trends
Sheffield Wednesday have long been known for turbulence in the dugout, particularly since the turn of the century. Since 2000, the club have appointed a mix of seasoned British managers and high-risk continental choices, rarely achieving prolonged stability. While figures such as Brian Laws and Carlos Carvalhal lasted over 100 games, others like Tony Pulis and Xisco Muñoz departed in a matter of weeks. The club’s managerial history reflects an inconsistent recruitment policy that often shifts with ownership sentiment and on-field form.
Wednesday have oscillated between defensive pragmatists and progressive tacticians without clearly committing to a long-term vision. This has frequently led to reactive appointments — sacking managers amid downturns without a clear successor strategy. The volatility contributes to constant speculation in the betting markets, and with Danny Röhl’s position uncertain, few would be surprised to see another name added to the list below in the near future.
| Manager | Appointment Date | To | Days in Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Jewell | 21/06/2000 | 12/02/2001 | 236 |
| Peter Shreeves | 12/02/2001 | 17/10/2001 | 247 |
| Terry Yorath | 17/10/2001 | 31/10/2002 | 379 |
| Chris Turner | 07/11/2002 | 19/09/2004 | 683 |
| Paul Sturrock | 23/09/2004 | 19/10/2006 | 756 |
| Brian Laws | 06/11/2006 | 13/12/2009 | 1133 |
| Alan Irvine | 08/01/2010 | 03/02/2011 | 391 |
| Gary Megson | 04/02/2011 | 29/02/2012 | 391 |
| Dave Jones | 01/03/2012 | 01/12/2013 | 640 |
| Stuart Gray | 01/12/2013 | 11/06/2015 | 557 |
| Carlos Carvalhal | 30/06/2015 | 24/12/2017 | 908 |
| Jos Luhukay | 05/01/2018 | 21/12/2018 | 350 |
| Steve Bruce | 01/02/2019 | 17/07/2019 | 166 |
| Garry Monk | 06/09/2019 | 09/11/2020 | 430 |
| Tony Pulis | 13/11/2020 | 28/12/2020 | 45 |
| Darren Moore | 01/03/2021 | 19/06/2023 | 841 |
| Xisco Muñoz | 04/07/2023 | 04/10/2023 | 92 |
| Danny Röhl | 13/10/2023 | Present | Ongoing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who’s the favourite to be the next Sheffield Wednesday manager?
There are currently no official betting odds due to Danny Röhl still being under contract. However, names such as Des Buckingham, Neil Critchley, and Tom Cleverley have been discussed as potential successors should the club make a change.
Who will be the next manager of Sheffield Wednesday?
That depends on whether Röhl departs, but likely contenders include progressive younger coaches like Cleverley and Buckingham, alongside experienced EFL managers such as Critchley or Dave Challinor.
Who would be the best manager for Sheffield Wednesday?
There is no clear-cut answer. A coach like Buckingham could offer long-term structure and style, while someone like Challinor brings a proven promotion record and pragmatic success.
Who is the longest-serving manager at Sheffield Wednesday?
Arthur Dickinson holds the record, managing the club for 919 matches from 1891 to 1920 — a 29-year reign unmatched in club history.
Which Sheffield Wednesday manager has the best record?
Harry Catterick boasts the highest win percentage of any permanent manager with at least 50 games, achieving a 55.80% win rate between 1958 and 1961.
How often do Sheffield Wednesday change their manager?
Very frequently. Since 2000, the club has appointed 18 permanent managers, averaging one new appointment roughly every 16 months.
