Turmoil at Hillsborough: Danny Rohl Departs Crisis-Hit Sheffield Wednesday
Danny Rohl leaves beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday just weeks before new season
Sheffield Wednesday’s turbulent summer took yet another dramatic twist as manager Danny Rohl officially parted company with the club by mutual consent—less than two weeks before the new Championship season kicks off. The 36-year-old German’s exit plunges the Owls even deeper into uncertainty, with financial chaos and an unsettled squad compounding the gloom hanging over Hillsborough.
After a campaign that saw Wednesday rise from early-season relegation favourites to mid-table stability under Rohl’s guidance, few could have predicted the rapid unravelling of this once-promising revival. Now, the club finds itself without a head coach, facing a potential points deduction due to financial mismanagement, and scrambling to pull together a team for the opening fixture away at Leicester City on August 10.
From Hero to Exit: How Rohl’s Time at Wednesday Fell Apart
Danny Rohl arrived at Sheffield Wednesday in October 2023 as something of an unknown quantity to many fans. A former assistant at Southampton and Bayern Munich, Rohl took over with the team bottom of the Championship after their worst-ever start to a season. But what followed was one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent second-tier memory.
Wednesday didn’t just survive relegation—they surged up the table, playing an energetic brand of football that got fans dreaming again. Rohl’s young side ultimately finished 12th in the 2024–25 campaign, comfortably safe and even flirting with the play-offs at one stage. But a run of just one win in their final nine matches saw that push collapse—and with it, perhaps, the trust between Rohl and the club’s ownership.
Hints of trouble began surfacing as soon as the final whistle blew on the last game of the season at Watford. In his post-match comments, Rohl hinted he might not return, speaking vaguely about the future and sounding more like a man saying goodbye than preparing for another campaign. When he failed to report for the start of pre-season training in June, fears among the fanbase grew.
Though he did eventually return in early July and resumed training duties, the damage may have already been done.
Financial Embargoes and Fractured Trust
The bigger picture at Sheffield Wednesday paints a troubling image. The club is currently under multiple financial embargoes, with owner Dejphon Chansiri openly looking to sell. Players went unpaid in both May and June, and those who remain are reportedly watching closely to see if July wages will land on time.
This dire financial state has left the club unable to strengthen their already depleted squad. Monday brought another blow with the departure of versatile forward Callum Paterson to League Two side MK Dons—a clear indicator of the club’s deteriorating status.
Behind the scenes, Rohl was said to be working hard to patch things up. According to BBC Radio Sheffield, he held individual meetings with players in an effort to reset and move forward. His efforts appeared to have had an effect, with a productive fortnight at Middlewood Road including pre-season wins over York City and Mansfield Town without conceding a goal.
But even that positivity wasn’t enough to hold the situation together. The atmosphere had reportedly become “unsustainable”, leading to a mutual agreement between Rohl and the club to part ways.
Departures in the Backroom Too
Rohl’s exit hasn’t occurred in isolation. The club also confirmed the departures of several key backroom staff, including Sascha Lense, Chris Powell, Neil Thompson, and goalkeeper coach Sal Bibbo. All had been integral parts of Rohl’s setup and their simultaneous exits point to a clean break and a major upheaval just as the season looms large.
Henrik Pedersen, who initially oversaw pre-season training during Rohl’s early summer absence, is now the favourite to step into the head coach role—though no official announcement has been made. If appointed, he would inherit a squad in flux, a club under pressure, and a fanbase desperate for clarity.
A Farewell With Gratitude
Despite the chaos, Rohl struck a gracious tone in his farewell message, which he shared on Instagram:
“A very special time is coming to an end and I am incredibly grateful for the experiences we shared over 21 unforgettable months together. This summer has been difficult and, in the end, the club and I came to the mutual decision to part ways. I understand the different thoughts and reactions to everything that has been going on during these past few months. I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity. Even during the difficult moments and setbacks, I have always continued to feel the support from everyone.”
It was a classy departure from a coach who had come to be respected by fans and players alike—not just for the results he delivered, but the passion he brought to the job. For many Wednesday supporters, Rohl represented a rare beacon of stability in an otherwise stormy era under Chansiri’s ownership.
What Now for Sheffield Wednesday?
With the Championship season opener against relegated Leicester City fast approaching, Wednesday’s immediate future looks bleak. The squad is paper-thin, reinforcements are restricted by transfer embargoes, and the mood around the club is anxious at best.
And yet, amid the uncertainty, there’s still time—just. If a new head coach can be appointed swiftly, if wages are paid on time, and if the club can wriggle free of its financial shackles before the window shuts, there might still be hope of salvaging something from this campaign.
But right now, hope is all the Owls can cling to.
Danny Rohl’s departure will sting. It marks the end of a brief but memorable chapter in Hillsborough history—a rare spell of upward momentum during one of the most turbulent periods in the club’s existence. His legacy, though short-lived, will not be forgotten. Whether his exit is the final domino to fall or the beginning of a much-needed rebuild remains to be seen.
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