Sheffield Wednesday are back in the market for a new manager. After just over a year in charge, Garry Monk was axed by the Owls last night after guiding the club to just seven league wins in 2020.
The international break gives the club time to assess their options and line up a replacement, but who will they pursue? We have picked six managers that could be in line for a move to South Yorkshire.
Eddie Howe
It is less than a year since Howe was being linked with the vacant hotseat at Arsenal. However, after overseeing Bournemouth’s relegation to the Championship, the 42-year-old may need to rebuild his reputation in the EFL. The task of managing Championship strugglers Wednesday would be a difficult one but represents a challenge at a sizeable and historic club. Despite being last seen in the top flight, he has extensive experience of the second tier and guided the Cherries to a Championship title win in 2015. He would certainly be considered a coup if landed, but he may be keen to re-enter the game further up the Championship table, if not in the Premier League.
Paul Cook
The 53-year-old’s exploits with Wigan Athletic last season saw his stock rise exponentially, and he could certainly be on Wednesday’s radar. Widely respected for his man-management skills, Cook could be the man to get the best out of a squad which despite containing undeniable talent, has too often underwhelmed. He has previously said he that he is desperate for a return to the game and could be tempted by an offer from the Owls.
Ryan Lowe
A young manager with a burgeoning reputation, Lowe could very well be in the running. He is well-acquainted with Wednesday after helping them seal promotion to the Championship as a player in 2012 and has made an impressive start to life in management. The 42-year-old’s first two campaigns in the dugout have yielded two promotions from League Two, with Bury and Plymouth Argyle. Known for his attack-minded style, he would certainly bring excitement to Hillsborough but is inexperienced in comparison to other linked candidates.
David Wagner
Revered by Wednesday’s Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town, Wagner could be a controversial option for the Owls. He was in charge of the Terriers when they overcame Wednesday on penalties to reach the Championship play-off final in 2017, but his experience of second tier success may prove appealing to Dejphon Chansiri. The German is also unemployed and available, after being sacked by Bundesliga side Schalke in September.
Tony Pulis
The vastly experienced Welshman has been out of work since May 2019, when he parted ways with Wednesday’s Championship counterparts Middlesbrough. Although his conservative style draws criticism, he has the enviable record of never being relegated during his career and could help bring stability to a club that has lacked it in recent years.
Sol Campbell
Reports have already emerged linking Campbell with what would be his first job in the Championship. He stepped into management with Macclesfield Town and steered the cash-strapped club away from the foot of League Two and to safety during the 2018/19 campaign. Campbell could not save his next employers, Southend United, from relegation last season but wasn’t able to recruit any new signings in the January transfer window. The former England international could be keen to take over at a club who did sanction an influx of new signings for Monk in the summer.
