Henrik Pedersen sends clear demand to Sheffield Wednesday fans | OneFootball

Henrik Pedersen has sent a message to Sheffield Wednesday supporters after being named as Danny Rohl's replacement.

New Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen has called on supporters to stick with the team in the upcoming season as the club's nightmare summer continues.

After Danny Rohl left Wednesday by mutual consent earlier this week following months of speculation over his future, his former assistant Pedersen was confirmed as his replacement on Thursday morning.

Pedersen, who has previously had spells in charge of Red Bull Ghana, HB Koge, Eintracht Braunschweig, Stromsgodset and Vendsyssel, is believed to have turned down interest from Premier League side Brentford and French outfit Strasbourg to take the top job at Hillsborough, and he has signed a three-year contract to become the new Owls manager.

The 47-year-old is stepping into an incredibly challenging situation following a summer of off-field problems that have plunged the Owls into crisis, and after a number of high-profile departures in recent weeks, including the likes of Anthony Musaba, Djeidi Gassama, Josh Windass and Michael Smith, he has been left with an incredibly thin squad to work with.

After the Wednesday squad were informed that their July wages would not be paid on time, with the issue now occurring for the fourth time in five months, it has been suggested that the players are considering refusing to play in protest, which has cast doubt over whether the club's opening fixtures of the season will even take place.

Henrik Pedersen breaks silence after being appointed Sheffield Wednesday manager

After being confirmed as the new Wednesday manager, Pedersen issued a defiant message, claiming that he is determined to help the Owls navigate their way through their current challenges and urging supporters to back the team during the season ahead.

"I am incredibly, INCREDIBLY proud to become manager of this wonderful football club," Pedersen said in a statement on the club's official website.

"Since arriving in Sheffield with my family, the city immediately felt like our home.

"The people are what makes a city special, and the fans are what makes a football club special.

"So to be now staying in Sheffield, and managing this club with its incredible supporters makes me very happy.

"This club has a fantastic history, one of the giants of English football and it is now my job to help get us back to the position we should be in.

"Is this going to be easy? No! We are maybe in ‘rough waters’ at the moment but as a proud Dane I can tell you that like our Viking ancestors, stormy seas don’t bother us too much. You have to get used to it, to weather the storm to get to calmer waters.

"This is a really great club, with great fans and I will do anything and everything to help us thrive and grow. We will have to fight and battle for everything but with the right mentality we can achieve great things as a team.

"To the fans, I ask that we stick together. At times we may need to be a little patient as we strive to grow. We all care deeply and will do all we can to bring the great times back to Hillsborough.

"I only ask that you get behind your team.

"Sheffield Wednesday is a massive club! I now look forward to the hard work of preparing the team.

"From the youngest kids in our academy, right through to the first team up.

"I look forward to seeing you all for the new season.

"See you all soon."

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Given that he was reportedly offered opportunities to join the coaching staff of Brentford and Strasbourg, it is certainly a brave call by Pedersen to accept the Wednesday manager's job amid their current turmoil.

That level of commitment will no doubt impress Owls supporters, and Pedersen's passionate rallying cry will also have gone down well with the fan base, but with a squad severely lacking depth and quality and no sign of the club's financial problems easing, it is difficult not to feel that the Dane is taking on something of a thankless task.

After their chaotic summer, Wednesday look nailed on to be relegated to League One next season, but Pedersen will be aiming to somehow defy the odds and keep his side in the Championship.