David Storch faces criticism for early decision at Sheffield Wednesday pre-takeover

David Storch is closing in on becoming the new owner of Sheffield Wednesday, but there are already concerns over his decision to back Henrik Pedersen to lead the club forward following their relegation from the Championship.

Storch is heading the Arise Capital consortium, which has recently emerged as the preferred bidder to take over at Hillsborough. With the deal nearing completion, it signals the end of a difficult period for the club, marked by off-field instability and poor performances after a weakened squad and the departure of Danny Röhl.

Pedersen has faced a challenging situation with a limited squad, but results have been underwhelming. Reports suggest he has been assured he will remain in charge next season under the new ownership, following discussions with Storch. While Pedersen has expressed his desire to stay, many believe the club should consider a change.

Wednesday’s league form has been particularly poor, with just one win in 39 matches, and fans have voiced frustration over what they see as a lack of tactical impact. Pedersen’s managerial background, which includes spells in lower-tier leagues across Denmark, Norway, and Germany with Eintracht Braunschweig, has also raised doubts about his suitability for the rebuild.

Although he has shown professionalism during a difficult period, critics argue there has been little evidence to justify keeping him in the role. With the club heading into League One, expectations will be high for immediate improvement, increasing the pressure on both Pedersen and the incoming ownership.

While maintaining stability during a transition is understandable, Storch’s decision to stick with Pedersen could prove risky if results do not improve quickly.

Meanwhile, Arise Capital’s takeover process continues, with ongoing discussions involving the English Football Leagueas the deal moves closer to completion.