Let’s be honest, regardless of the outcome: those of us who felt rescuing Sheffield Wednesday was too difficult for a new manager were absolutely mistaken.
There were quite a few of us. And you know what type of boss I would have preferred, as would a large section of the fan base. However, I believe we would have been correct in the majority of cases involving rookie appointments. That is why Danny Rohl has been both a notable exception and an extraordinary performer.
The young German can be judged on the logical assumption that no veteran manager, including you know who, could have performed better under such desperate circumstances. So I’m happy to lift both hands up on that, while maintaining that Wednesday should take a longer-term view of things. Only in that way did everything appear to make sense.
When Rohl took over in late October, the Owls had three points and no wins from their previous 11 games. Predictably, he lost his first two, both away from home, and relegation seemed almost imminent, with most fans wisely swearing to back the club’s 34-year-old head coach in that event.
Since then, he’s won 12 of 31 league games (writing ahead of Norwich in midweek), with a win ratio of about 40%. That is truly astonishing for a club in such dire difficulties. If the epic escape is completed, I believe Rohl is a legitimate contender for Manager of the Season.
Ironically, two of the traits he has brought to the table are the stock in trade of a certain Mr. Warnock. Clarity and strength of personality. Man-management, in brief. Again, that’s quite unusual for the youngest boss in the English pro game. Of course, Rohl has offered advanced coaching approaches during his tenure with Southampton, Bayern Munich, and the German national team. However, the way Jurgen Klopp has so expressively driven his team demonstrates some of his personal fire and charm. It’s a heart-on-sleeve attitude that leaves little doubt about how he feels, whether among players or supporters.
You might include the chairman on that list. Rohl’s occasionally harsh public statements strongly suggest he understands the club, its infrastructure, and how it has been administered. Can he change that? Not directly. But, amidst the will-he-go or will-he-stay intrigue, it’s evident that Rohl isn’t one to take a political stance. He feels strongly enough positioned to make observations, albeit obliquely, that his numerous predecessors haven’t ventured to. And he is correct; he is in a position of some influence. It isn’t personal; it’s professional.
His and Wednesday’s bet on each other has come near to paying off to be a complete triumph. Rohl is now perfectly poised to advance his career, whether at Hillsborough or elsewhere. The major question is: Can the club keep up?
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