FLW writers have discussed 53 year old joining Sheffield Wednesday’s shortlist for a new manager.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This article is a part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict’ series, which offers the writers’ individual viewpoints on the

most recent breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more.

 

Football Insider reports that Jess Thorup has become a candidate for the management position at Sheffield Wednesday.

The 53-year-old Danish man, who left FC Copenhagen in September of last year, has been jobless since then.

Following the departure of Darren Moore, Wednesday is still looking for a new manager, and according to this source,

Thorup has been added to the club’s shortlist.

 

Would Sheffield Wednesday be wise to hire Jess Thorup?

Three FLW writers were consulted regarding their opinions on Thorup as a potential candidate for the management position

at Sheffield Wednesday.

Worthington, Brett

Although Thorup has had some success as a manager in the countries where he has worked, his lack of recognition in

English football makes this a hazardous choice.

Although the 53-year-old has managed in Belgium and Denmark, especially the Championship, those competitions are not

comparable to the English ones.

Thorup has managed teams in Europe and competed for honours, so it’s not like he is a young, inexperienced manager; it’s

just that for what Wednesday needs, Thorup hasn’t got it.

It’s taken the Owls so long to get into the Championship that an appointment like this could be so much of a risk that it

would come back to bite them and cost them a place in the Championship.

The club needs to be sensible and look closer to home when it comes to their next manager.

With managerial experience in both Denmark and Belgium, Thorup has a strong resume.

The fact that he ventured out and adapted to life in another country before returning to his native country is an encouraging

indication for the Owls who will want to see him make an immediate impact. There might have been a little skepticism if he

had just succeeded in his home country.

Despite being a fringe candidate, he has experience leading teams that have competed in Europe, and given the high-caliber

teams he has led in the past, you may assume that he would set high standards at Hillsborough.

However, considering the Owls’ team needs a strong start to the 2023–24 season, it will be a difficult ask for him to do so.

There will need to be patience for any manager coming in.

Adam Elliott

It’s difficult to assess any manager who has only worked in the Danish and Belgian leagues, but Thorup’s reputation is pretty

good.

He has particularly impressed with FC Midtjylland, Gent, and in the early stages of his time with Copehagen; but his lack of

experience of the second tier may worry some Wednesday fans.

Having managed over 400 games with a win percentage of over 50% in his career, Thorup would come to England with

some pedigree.

However, other names that have been linked with the job have more experience of the Championship and English football,

and ultimately, that is what you want most when your goal next season is to survive in the division.

The South Yorkshire outfit aren’t exactly awash with cash at the moment, so need to stabilise themselves during 2023/24. Is

the 53-year-old Dane the man to do that? It feels like a risk that a club with more stability could make, but I’m unsure it’s the

right call at the present moment.

READ MORE:

Key Sheffield Wednesday player emerges as transfer target for Croatian outfit

 

Josh Windass is one player who has been courted by another team this summer. He is thought to still be on Southampton’s

radar, and with one year left on his contract with the Owls, he could receive bids soon.

 

Defender Dominic Iorfa, who has been with Wednesday since January 2019, is another player who is in the same situation

as having a year left on his contract.

 

Despite having his fair share of injury troubles in his four-and-a-half years at the club, Iorfa has been a rock when available

for the most part, winning the club’s Player of the Year award for the 2019-20 season and returned to fitness for the 2022-23

campaign to help Wednesday to promotion back to the Championship.

 

The play-off final victory in May at Wembley against Barnsley could potentially be Iorfa’s last act in an Owls shirt however,

as some shock transfer interest has emerged for the 28-year-old.

 

UEFA Champions League club keen to sign Iorfa

According to a report by Alan Nixon on Patreon, Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb are interested in signing Iorfa this

summer and are keen to take advantage of the fact that he has less than 12 months remaining on his deal at the South

Yorkshire club.

 

Dinamo, who are managed by former Liverpool central midfielder Igor Biscan, will enter the UEFA Champions League later

this month in the qualifying stages and they are prepared to offer Iorfa the chance of playing in European competition

should they be able to agree a fee with the Owls.

 

And it will leave owner Chansiri with a decision to make perhaps before even coming to the appointment of a new head

coach as a move to Croatia could be hard to turn down for Iorfa if they make an official approach.

Should Sheffield Wednesday sell Dominic Iorfa?

Wednesday may not have much of a choice if Iorfa wants to move on.

 

If Dinamo tempt him with a move to mainland Europe, then Wednesday would have to cash in as it would be their last

chance to recoup some money for his services.

 

That would be a better situation than keeping an unhappy player at Hillsborough for another year, and it would give the new

head coach some more funds to play with to build the squad he wants.

So, if Dinamo firm their interest up and make an offer, then you can expect Iorfa to want the move.