Pedersen Backs Sheffield Wednesday Takeover Before West Brom Match

Henrik Pedersen expects the Sheffield Wednesday takeover to be signed off before Saturday’s match against West Bromwich Albion, a move that would end a long administration saga. The manager said the sheffield wednesday takeover could be completed before kick-off at Hillsborough, with the club also hoping to finish the season with a first Championship home win.

Pedersen and West Bromwich Albion

Pedersen framed the timing as more than a boardroom update. "This relief that the past is the past and now we can start to look into the future will be an emotional moment for sure" he said, adding: "I think some people will start to cry because it has been so tough. If you've not been here you can't imagine how tough it has been."

West Bromwich Albion are the weekend opponents, but the bigger weight at Hillsborough sits with the ownership change. Sheffield Wednesday have already been docked 18 points for financial infringements incurred under the previous ownership of Dejphon Chansiri, and the club is trying to leave that period behind as the American consortium moves toward control.

David Storch at Hillsborough

David Storch, his son Michael and business partner Tom Costin are expected to be part of a sellout crowd on Saturday. Pedersen linked their presence to the mood around the club, saying: "This year we have spoken a lot about the human coming first. But everything starts with the top and with David, with Michael, with Tom we get three top humans."

He also said: "The human-always-comes-first mentality will come from them because they will live this." And he described the fit as "This mindset to think big, this mindset to understand Sheffield Wednesday - the new owners with Sheffield Wednesday is an amazing cocktail."

Administration and 1 May deadline

The consortium had set a 1 May deadline to complete the buyout, with the aim of avoiding the cut-off point for the Independent Football Regulator to get involved next week. That deadline has pushed the process toward a matchday conclusion rather than a drawn-out summer of uncertainty.

Pedersen said the club still faces a major rebuild once the ownership issue is settled. "We have a big job over the summer to prepare a new squad that can bring us a better moment in the future," he said, while also urging his players to deliver a top performance in front of a full house and the expected visitors from the takeover group.

For Sheffield Wednesday, the immediate step is simple: complete the handover before Saturday’s kick-off and turn a nightmare season into something more stable before the summer work begins.