Next Sheffield Wednesday Manager Odds: Dave Challinor Odds-On Favourite to Replace Henrik Pedersen
Sheffield Wednesday have sacked head coach Henrik Pedersen after less than 15 months in charge, following two League One defeats in five days.
Saturday's 2-0 loss at Doncaster Rovers, in which the Owls conceded twice inside the first 17 minutes, came four days after a 2-0 defeat at Notts County and left Wednesday with one win in their last six league games.
They sit eighth, two points outside the play-off places after 11 games.
Sporting director Simon Wilson said that "although we have accumulated points, we haven't seen enough progress" on a recognisable style of play and consistency.
BetVictor and other football betting sites have now opened a market on the next permanent Wednesday boss, with Dave Challinor installed as the short-priced favourite ahead of Rob Edwards, Sean Dyche, Paul Heckingbottom and Darren Ferguson.
Coach Matt Hamshaw takes interim charge, starting with Tuesday's visit of Cambridge United.
Punters can also check out the latest free bets before getting involved.
Next Sheffield Wednesday Manager Odds
Here's how BetVictor price the top five contenders for the Hillsborough job.
| Candidate | BetVictor Odds |
|---|---|
| Dave Challinor | 4/6 |
| Rob Edwards | 10/1 |
| Sean Dyche | 10/1 |
| Paul Heckingbottom | 12/1 |
| Darren Ferguson | 12/1 |
Odds correct as of 25 October 2026, 4:55pm - courtesy of BetVictor
Dave Challinor
Dave Challinor is the leading name linked with the Sheffield Wednesday vacancy.
He has been out of work since leaving Stockport County by mutual consent on 1 June, ending almost five years in charge.
Challinor worked alongside Wilson at Edgeley Park, where Wilson was chief executive, and guided Stockport from the National League to the League One play-off final in May.
A seven-time promotion winner as a manager, Challinor has said he is "ready to come back", although he wants a club with "similar ambition" to Stockport.
He has reportedly been waiting for a Championship opportunity or the Wednesday job, meaning the Owls may need to act quickly.
Rob Edwards
Rob Edwards has been available since Wolves dismissed him in June after seven months in charge, during which the club managed just three wins from 27 Premier League games.
He guided Luton Town to the Premier League by reaching the 2023 play-off final, beating Coventry City, and won League Two with Forest Green Rovers in 2021-22.
Edwards has been linked with Burnley and Leicester City in recent weeks, and on 19 October was reported to be on a three-man shortlist for the Crystal Palace job.
A move to League One could be unlikely if a Premier League or Championship opportunity emerges.
Sean Dyche
Sean Dyche is one of the biggest names linked with the vacancy, although a move to League One would be an unexpected step.
He has been out of work since Nottingham Forest sacked him in February and has since worked as a talkSPORT pundit.
Dyche won promotion with Burnley in 2014 and the Championship title in 2016, before leading the Clarets to seventh in the Premier League in 2017/18.
He said earlier this month that he was "enjoying other things" but would consider a return if the right opportunity arose.
He has also been tipped as a potential frontrunner for Crystal Palace should the club part ways with Pierre Sage.
Paul Heckingbottom
Paul Heckingbottom is available after Preston North End sacked him on 13 September, with the club sitting 23rd in the Championship following six defeats in their opening seven games.
He led Sheffield United back to the Premier League as Championship runners-up in 2023, but the club dismissed him in December that year.
His previous spell at Bramall Lane could prove a stumbling block with Sheffield Wednesday supporters given the rivalry between the Steel City clubs.
Darren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson has been out of football since Peterborough United dismissed him in October 2025, with the club bottom of League One.
Across four spells at London Road, he secured four promotions and won three EFL Trophies.
His Peterborough side also lost a League One play-off semi-final to Sheffield Wednesday in 2023.
Ferguson said he would prefer his next role to be in a sporting-director capacity and ruled out returning to Peterborough, leaving his interest in another head-coaching role uncertain.
Wednesday have not yet named a successor.
Their next league game is at home to Cambridge United on Tuesday 27 October, kick-off 7:45pm.
For more picks ahead of the game, see our football betting tips.
