Sheffield Wednesday sack Henrik Pedersen as Matt Hamshaw takes interim charge

Sheffield Wednesday have dismissed head coach Henrik Pedersen after less than 15 months in charge, with Matt Hamshaw taking over on an interim basis. BBC Sport reported that the League One club made the change following two defeats in five days, bringing the 48-year-old Dane's tenure to an end after Saturday's loss at Doncaster Rovers.

Wednesday were beaten 2-0 in that South Yorkshire derby, conceding both goals inside the opening 17 minutes. Supporters called for Pedersen to leave during the match. The result followed another 2-0 defeat, away at Notts County on Tuesday, leaving Wednesday without a goal or a point from those two fixtures.

Those losses formed part of a wider run of one victory in six league matches. Wednesday failed to score in four of those six games. In explaining the decision, sporting director Simon Wilson said the club had anticipated a difficult start to the season but had also expected a clearer playing identity and more consistent performances. He said the points collected had not been accompanied by enough progress in those areas.

Wilson said making a change at this stage offered the club its best opportunity to develop those foundations for the second half of the campaign and beyond. Wednesday's statement also acknowledged Pedersen's contribution during what it described as an exceptional period in the club's history, crediting him with providing stability and leadership despite the decision to end his time in charge.

Interim replacement Hamshaw joined Wednesday's coaching staff in August. Before that move, he had been dismissed by Rotherham United last season after spending less than a year in charge. His appointment at Wednesday is temporary, with the club turning to a member of its existing coaching staff following Pedersen's departure.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield after the Doncaster defeat, Pedersen had acknowledged hearing the supporters' chants against him. He said he shared their hurt and was unhappy with taking no points from the two games. Even after that setback, he had expressed belief that Wednesday could recover and still have a strong season.