Sheffield Wednesday sack Henrik Pedersen as Matt Hamshaw takes interim charge

Sheffield Wednesday have sacked head coach Henrik Pedersen after back-to-back League One defeats, with Matt Hamshaw taking interim charge of the first team.

The club confirmed on Sunday that Pedersen had left with immediate effect, a day after a 2-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers in the South Yorkshire derby.

Why have Sheffield Wednesday sacked Henrik Pedersen?

The pressure built quickly. Wednesday lost 2-0 at Notts County last Tuesday, then were two goals down inside the opening 17 minutes at Doncaster on Saturday. Travelling supporters called for Pedersen to go at both games.

“I’m hurting like they are hurt,” Pedersen told BBC Radio Sheffield after the Doncaster defeat, as reported by Yahoo Sports. Within 24 hours he was gone.

Wednesday are eighth in League One after 11 games, two points off the play-off places. In its statement, the club acknowledged that it had picked up points but said it had not seen enough progress.

Henrik Pedersen’s time at Hillsborough

Pedersen spent just over three years at Sheffield Wednesday, first as assistant to Danny Röhl before stepping up to the top job in the summer of 2025. He took charge with the club in crisis, and could not prevent relegation from the Championship last season.

Sporting director Simon Wilson thanked Pedersen for his professionalism and commitment during what he described as an exceptionally challenging period for the club. Wednesday have new owners this season, and the club said it remains ambitious about what it can achieve this campaign.

Who is Matt Hamshaw?

Hamshaw is a familiar face. The 44-year-old came through the Sheffield Wednesday youth system and played for the club between 2000 and 2005. He was most recently in charge of Rotherham United, and joined Wednesday’s coaching staff in the summer.

The Star reported that Hamshaw will lead the team until a permanent successor is appointed. His first game in charge is Tuesday night’s home match against sixth-placed Cambridge United.

Another EFL managerial change

Wednesday are the latest EFL club to make a change this month. Bromley parted ways with Andy Woodman in League One, Crawley Town sacked Colin Kazim-Richards in League Two, and Burnley sacked Nicky Hayen in the Championship.

Follow every result in our League One and League Two coverage, and keep up with the race for the first Premier League sacking in our Premier League sack race tracker.