Henrik Pedersen reveals pre-season plans and issues warning to Sheffield Wednesday F.C. squad

ŴSheffield Wednesday F.C. are determined to avoid a repeat of last summer’s chaos by putting together a far more organised and demanding pre-season campaign ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The build-up to the previous campaign was heavily disrupted by the off-field turmoil surrounding former owner Dejphon Chansiri. The squad was left depleted, players temporarily lost access to the Middlewood Road training ground, and the club failed to arrange a single public pre-season friendly.

However, following the recent takeover by Arise Capital Partners LLC, there is now a renewed sense of optimism around Hillsborough. With stability finally beginning to return, manager Henrik Pedersen has already mapped out an intense summer programme aimed at ensuring the squad is fully prepared for the new season.

Pedersen, who was appointed shortly before last season began after replacing Danny Rohl, admitted preparations last year were far from ideal. This time, though, the Danish coach wants a far more structured and physically demanding approach.

The Wednesday boss explained that the opening weeks of pre-season will focus heavily on fitness work before friendly matches are gradually introduced. Players will initially be pushed through intense training sessions, with match minutes carefully increased week by week as the squad builds rhythm and conditioning.

Pedersen stressed that the team must become “top, top fit” while also rediscovering the mentality needed to consistently win football matches again after a difficult 2025/26 campaign.

The manager also hinted that pre-season fixtures will be carefully selected to strike the right balance between building confidence and testing the squad at a high level. He wants his players exposed to challenging opponents while also ensuring they regain the habit of winning games.

Following last week’s takeover and the growing optimism around the club, Sheffield Wednesday now see this summer as the beginning of a new era. After the turmoil of the previous campaign, the Owls know a strong and properly planned pre-season could be crucial in helping them move forward both on and off the pitch.