After deciding to fire Henrik Pedersen, Sheffield Wednesday is currently looking for a new manager.

Following Danny Rohl’s departure from the team, the Dane assumed leadership in the summer of 2025.

However, Arise Capital completed the team’s takeover at the beginning of May, therefore the Owls are now owned by a new group.

Additionally, a number of names have been connected to the position as they prepare to choose their first head coach.

With several younger players joining during the summer transfer window, the next manager will have a strong team to work with.

At the end of the season, club legend Barry Bannan returned to Hillsborough. When a new manager is hired, they will undoubtedly rely on his experience.

A management claim made by Barry Bannan

FLW’s Sheffield Wednesday fan analyst Patrick McKenna stated that if Bannan decides to pursue a career as head coach, he would rather that the midfield player stay away from that position.

He feels that if things don’t work out, it could damage his reputation at Hillsborough and that the Owls have already suffered greatly from former players returning as managers.

In reality, McKenna told Football League World, “I wouldn’t want Barry Bannan to manage Sheffield Wednesday.”

“As a player, he is truly legendary, and I would like him to be remembered for that.

“I would be devastated if he took over as manager and things didn’t work out, potentially damaging his reputation.

Some younger fans would recall him more as a manager.

“That’s not to say he won’t go on to be a successful manager, but in the past, we’ve had players like Chris Turner and Danny Wilson manage who were terrible for us.

Therefore, even though I don’t think it would be a smart idea, Bannan should still pursue a career in management.

“It shouldn’t be at Hillsborough, in my opinion.”

Before joining Millwall in January of last year, Bannan played for Sheffield Wednesday for ten and a half years.

However, after the ownership change, the 36-year-old triumphantly returned in the summer and has appeared in all 12 of their League One games this season.

In a 5-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon in October, the seasoned Sheffield Wednesday player even scored his first goal since rejoining the squad.

The importance of Barry Bannan to Sheffield Wednesday Bannan originally joined Sheffield Wednesday from Premier League team Crystal Palace during the summer transfer window of 2015.

He played a significant role in the team headed by Carlos Carvalhal, which finished in the top six of the Championship in both 2016 and 2017 but was not promoted to the top division.

Bannan was a member of the team that was demoted to League One in 2021, but he stayed with the Owls as they battled to return to the second division and, under Darren Moore, triumphed spectacularly in 2023.

In 2025, he was selected as the club captain, but when the financial problems worsened, he left Hillsborough.

If a managerial position with Barry Bannan becomes available, it will be difficult to decline.

The question of a Sheffield Wednesday stint will follow Bannan around the entire time if he wants to pursue a career in coaching and management.

Even well-known players like Frank Lampard, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Michael Carrick have returned to their previous teams in recent years, even though they weren’t the most obvious choices at the time, so it would be an opportunity too good to pass up.

If things don’t work out, there is undoubtedly a chance that his legacy will be damaged, but the benefits of a successful tenure would also provide for an impressive legacy.

He can further solidify his reputation as a Sheffield Wednesday icon if he can assist the new manager in winning promotion this season, but it is currently doubtful that he will take on a managerial role anytime soon.