Sheffield Wednesday, Neil Warnock possibility dismissed - "it would be humiliating" | OneFootball

FLW’s Owls fan pundit has answered Neil Warnock’s Hillsborough claim in no uncertain terms

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Neil Warnock has never been one to shy away from stoking the fires of football rivalry, and this week he reignited debate in South Yorkshire with a surprise claim of interest in the Sheffield Wednesday job.

Speaking on talkSPORT, the 76-year-old was asked whether he would consider taking over at Hillsborough following Danny Röhl’s departure - and answered with a blunt “yes”.

Warnock, of course, is indelibly associated with city rivals Sheffield United, having managed the Blades for eight years and made no secret of his lifelong allegiance.

Despite his long and decorated career in the Football League, the prospect of him crossing the Steel City divide was always likely to provoke strong reactions.

With Wednesday facing severe financial constraints, key player departures, and just days until the new Championship season begins, Warnock’s remarks added further noise to an already turbulent backdrop.

Neil Warnock’s Sheffield Wednesday claim sparks backlash from supporters

Football League World spoke with resident Owls expert Patrick McKenna on Warnock’s comments regarding a role at Hillsborough, asking our fan pundit if he’d welcome the former Blades manager in the Owls dugout, considering his past as an experienced Championship firefighter.

“Yeah, so in regard to Neil Warnock ever being manager of Sheffield Wednesday, it's simply not feasible or acceptable, and it will never happen,” McKenna told FLW.

“I do appreciate in this situation, it's just Neil Warnock trying to cause a bit of mischief and wind Wednesday fans up, which is fine, but you know, it's not a serious discussion or consideration.

“There's no doubting that he is an effective firefighter in the Championship, but no, he simply wouldn't be fit for a role at Hillsborough.

“You can just imagine, you know - would it be like if we even lost a half of football? He wouldn't get any sort of normal grace period or anything like that, and it would be humiliating.

“It's always important to have banter and slagging with rivals and to have a famous Blade like that coming in to rescue us - yeah, it'd be hard to live that one down.

“But we all know Warnock doesn't really mean it. He's just trying to, I suppose, create a few laughs on the radio, but Warnock at Wednesday? No, never.”

Owls turn to familiar face as Henrik Pedersen steps up at Hillsborough

In the wake of Röhl’s departure, Sheffield Wednesday have taken a markedly different approach to their next managerial appointment, prioritising continuity, cultural fit and internal stability over external experience.

Henrik Pedersen, who served as Röhl’s assistant, is now taking full charge of first team affairs, with his appointment finalised this week.

However, unlike Warnock, he arrives in the role without a proven track record of managing in the Championship or dealing with the demands of English football’s relentless second tier as the main man in the dugout.

While Warnock’s name would have brought media attention and short-term pragmatism, the Owls have chosen to put their faith in a figure already embedded in the club’s recent progress.

It is a move that may resonate more with the long-term project Röhl began - yet one that undoubtedly carries risk, given the volatile off-field context and lack of transfer activity.