Assistant Henrik Pederson in Pole Position as Danny Röhl Nears Sheffield Wednesday Exit

Sheffield Wednesday will offer Danny Rohl’s right hand man the chance to succeed him at Hillsborough if, as expected, the German leaves South Yorkshire this summer.

As SportsBoom exclusively revealed last week, Wednesday’s chairman and owner Dejphon Chansiri has already begun the process of identifying Rohl’s replacement having resigned himself to losing his manager following another tumultuous period in the club’s history.

According to a number of well-placed sources, has prompted the controversial Thai businessman to consider Henrik Pederson, Rohl’s assistant, for the top job next term.

Chansiri pointedly refused to deny there is about to be a change at the helm during a statement, ostensibly designed to address concerns about his stewardship of Wednesday, ahead of Saturday’s defeat by Oxford United. 

Pederson, aged 47, is thought to be his first choice to take charge when Rohl inevitably moves on unless a US based consortium, led by a lifelong Wednesday fan, are able to force through a planned buy-out in double quick time.

Pederson is known to have impressed officials at Wednesday with his work behind the scenes since Rohl’s appointment 18 months ago.

Although Rohl would like to preserve their partnership at either Southampton or RB Leipzig - the two sides known to be leading the chase for his services - Pederson is thought to be tempted to once again strike out on his own having previously led the likes of HB Koge and Vendsyssel in his native Denmark.

TOUGH TIMES AT HILLSBOROUGH

Despite flirting with the play-offs earlier this term, until a loss to arch-rivals Sheffield United scuppered their top six chances, Rohl has grown tired of seeing off-the-pitch issues overshadow his work with Chansiri failing to settle last month’s salary costs on time. 

Although that matter was eventually rectified, it prompted the English Football League to threaten Wednesday with a three window transfer ban following a number of similar episodes since Chansiri’s arrival.

Those, combined with what he perceives as a lack of support from the board since he saved Wednesday from relegation during his first season in charge, have convinced Rohl that he must leave in order to safeguard his own career.

The 35-year-old would prefer to continue working with Pederson, who like him has also held several positions under the Red Bull sporting umbrella.