Liam Palmer and Barry Bannan share emotional tributes after Sheffield Wednesday sack Henrik Pedersen

Henrik Pedersen clearly earned the respect of the Sheffield Wednesday dressing room, with club veterans Barry Bannan and Liam Palmer among those to publicly react following the manager’s departure from Hillsborough.

The Danish coach was handed the responsibility of guiding Wednesday through an exceptionally turbulent period, with the club battling serious off-field difficulties during the final stages of Dejphon Chansiri’s ownership before entering administration.

Despite receiving backing from the new ownership to oversee the club’s next chapter, Pedersen has now been relieved of his duties following consecutive 2-0 defeats away to Notts County and Doncaster Rovers.

Barry Bannan and Liam Palmer pay tribute to Henrik Pedersen

Pedersen faced an enormous challenge last season as he attempted to keep a struggling Wednesday squad motivated amid uncertainty surrounding the club’s future. Bannan and Palmer were among the players who witnessed his efforts at close quarters.

Both experienced figures have spent years at Hillsborough and rank among Sheffield Wednesday’s leading appearance-makers, experiencing the club’s successes and setbacks throughout the Chansiri era.

Their experience and leadership would have been valuable to Pedersen as he tried to navigate the difficult circumstances surrounding the club.

Following news of his departure, both players took to Instagram on Sunday evening to share their thoughts and acknowledge the relationship they had built with the Danish coach.

Bannan’s message was particularly personal, describing Pedersen as more than just a manager and making it clear that their relationship would continue beyond football.

“Henrik was a pleasure working with you,” Bannan wrote. “Not only my manager but a friend for life 💙. You’re a special person, and what you’ve done for this club will never be forgotten. You’re going to be missed. All the best to you in the future, and all the best to your family.”

The midfielder’s words offered a glimpse into the bond he developed with Pedersen during their time together, highlighting the personal impact the coach had despite the difficult circumstances surrounding his spell at Hillsborough.