Manager Henrik Pedersen has described the “insecurity” among “emotional” staff at Sheffield Wednesday after administrators took control of the club. Staff and players, who have gone unpaid in five of the last seven months, met the administrators in the training-ground canteen on Friday.
Pedersen said staff were asking, “Do we get our salary now? What happens now? Will it be better?” However, he added that “the general feeling was that they are all looking forward to the future” and that he was hopeful job losses could be prevented.
The administration, filed by owner Dejphon Chansiri, came with a 12-point penalty, dropping the Owls to -6 points. The move, however, ousts Chansiri, which fans are “overjoyed” about, calling his tenure “years of financial mismanagement.”
The club is now run by Begbies Traynor, who are tasked with recouping debts, including $pounds{}$1 million to HMRC, by finding a new owner. They will sell the club and stadium as a package.
Despite the “sad situation,” Pedersen called it a “good day” and a “fresh restart.” He vowed his team would “keep fighting” to overcome the 15-point gap to safety.