Sheffield Wednesday has hired Dave Challinor, the former boss of Stockport County, as their new manager. He takes over from Henrik Pedersen, who was sacked last Sunday following a disappointing run of one victory in six League One matches.

The Owls are currently experiencing a winless streak of three games, managing only one draw and two losses, leaving them ninth in the standings.

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Sheffield Wednesday will face Blackpool at 14:00 GMT on Sunday, during which Challinor will observe from the stands as interim manager Matt Hamshaw leads the team.

Challinor, a former defender for Bury and Tranmere Rovers, began his managerial journey at Colwyn Bay in 2010. Over the years, he has achieved multiple promotions with AFC Fylde and Hartlepool.

Most recently, he brought Stockport County from the National League to claim the League Two title within three seasons, also guiding the club to the League One playoffs twice.

The 51-year-old departed the Hatters by mutual consent at the end of the 2025-26 season, following a playoff final defeat to Bolton Wanderers.

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‘Challinor fits the bill’ – analysis

BBC Radio Sheffield’s Rob Staton

The new leadership at Sheffield Wednesday sought a manager capable of converting recent disappointing results into wins, and Challinor’s impressive record of seven promotions aligns with their ambitions. His previous experience in League One with Stockport County will prove beneficial.

Challinor’s primary challenge will be to foster a cohesive team from a group of talented individuals. As Sheffield Wednesday eyes a place among the top tier of League One, they will need to improve upon their current performance.

With the competition in League One becoming increasingly fierce, Wednesday, alongside Leicester and potentially rising MK Dons, aims to secure a spot within the upper ranks.

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Challinor’s new role represents a significant change from his previous positions at Stockport, Hartlepool, or Fylde, as his tenure at Sheffield Wednesday comes with heightened expectations.

In League One, winning is the standard, with ample pressure from the fanbase for consistent results. The previous manager, Darren Moore, had a remarkable season with 96 points, yet he faced scrutiny with every unfavorable result.

Challinor is likely to be joined by Clint Hill and Anthony Sweeney in his coaching staff, with Simon Wilson, who collaborated with him at Stockport, playing an integral role in his appointment. This existing partnership will be crucial moving forward.