Sheffield Wednesday appoint Dave Challinor as new manager

Sheffield Wednesday appointed former Stockport County manager Dave Challinor as their new head coach on 1 November 2026, the club announced. He succeeds Henrik Pedersen, who was sacked last Sunday after just one win in six League One games.

Challinor previously worked with Sheffield Wednesday sporting director Simon Wilson while at Stockport County. The Owls are currently ninth in the League One table and on a three-match winless run, with one draw and two defeats.

A former Bury and Tranmere Rovers defender, Challinor began his managerial career at Colwyn Bay in 2010. He is 51 years old.

Challinor has achieved promotions across spells with AFC Fylde and Hartlepool, and he guided Stockport County from the National League to the League Two title within three seasons. He also led Stockport to the League One play-offs on two occasions.

The Englishman left Stockport by mutual consent at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season after losing the play-off final to Bolton Wanderers. His managerial record includes seven promotions.

BBC Radio Sheffield's Rob Staton wrote that the club's new owners wanted someone who could turn recent draws and defeats into wins and that Challinor's record and League One experience suit that brief. Staton added that Challinor must shape a squad of talented individuals into a functioning team, noted the high expectations for Wednesday in League One and referenced Darren Moore's 96-point season as an example of the level of success expected; he also said he expected Clint Hill and Anthony Sweeney to join Challinor's staff and that Simon Wilson would have been instrumental in the appointment.

Sheffield Wednesday's next fixture is against Blackpool at 14:00 GMT on Sunday, for which Challinor will watch from the stands while interim boss Matt Hamshaw takes charge.