Although he has aspirations to continue playing for at least another two years, Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan has stated that managing the team is his “dream” at some point in the future.

Due to his performances over the last ten years, the 35-year-old, who joined the Owls in the summer of 2015, has become a club icon.

Although the club has undoubtedly gone through a difficult time, Bannan has remained a mainstay in the middle of the field and is still a key member of Henrik Pedersen’s team today.

Barry Bannan explains Sheffield Wednesday’s goals for the future.

Because of his loyalty, Bannan will always be valued by the fans, and his performances this season—such as his incredible goal against Norwich—show that he still has a lot to give.

Bannan, however, is naturally looking to the future given his age. He told The Times that he still believes he can make an impact on the field for the foreseeable future, but he also mentioned how he would love to take back the dugout as the manager at some point. The Scotsman is scheduled to start earning his A License coaching badges in 2026.

At the beginning of the new ownership and beyond, Bannan stated, “I think I have two or three seasons left in me, so hopefully I’m here for at least a good [period] and when it comes to the day I retire, I’d love to always be involved in this club, whether that be in coaching or the academy.”

“It goes without saying that this is the place where I would like to fulfill my dream of becoming a manager someday.”

After Barry Bannan retires, Sheffield Wednesday needs to make every effort to keep him connected to the team.
Since Bannan wants to continue playing and because he is still Hillsborough’s greatest player, this obviously won’t affect Wednesday in the near future.

In all likelihood, they will play in League One the next season, and you would think the midfield player would remain a vital member of the team.

At Sheffield Wednesday, Barry Bannan
Bannan will eventually transition into coaching, so Wednesday will likely make every effort to keep him involved in some way.

Having a club legend will inspire the next generation, and his passion for the team will drive standards every day. Of course, that doesn’t mean that he should just be given the managerial position, but he will undoubtedly be able to contribute to the club as a coach, whether in the academy or the first team.

It will then be up to Bannan to demonstrate that he is worthy of managing Sheffield Wednesday. If he were to return as manager in the future, it would be an incredible tale for both the player and the team.