MARK CUBAN TURNS TO WAYNE ROONEY IN BID TO SAVE SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Former England star handed THREE-YEAR deal as new owner looks to steady sinking ship at Hillsborough
Mark Cuban has wasted no time stamping his authority on Sheffield Wednesday — by appointing
Wayne Rooney as the club’s new manager on a three-year contract as the Owls battle to survive one of the darkest chapters in their 158-year history.
The American billionaire, who completed his takeover of the Championship club earlier this week, moved swiftly to remove Henrik Pedersen following face-to-face talks, before turning to the former Manchester United and England icon to lead a long-term rebuild.
Rooney, 40, arrives at Hillsborough with Wednesday already staring relegation in the face after being hit with a
crippling 18-point deduction following administration — a punishment that has left survival looking almost impossible.
But Cuban believes Rooney is the man to restore pride, structure and belief at a club many feared was drifting towards the abyss.
Cuban makes his move
Cuban, best known as the outspoken former owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, has made no secret of his admiration for big personalities and sees Rooney as the figurehead capable of carrying Sheffield Wednesday through what is expected to be a painful transition.
Sources close to the deal say Rooney was
Cuban’s first choice, with the American convinced the former striker’s reputation and experience would buy patience from supporters during what could be an inevitable relegation to League One.
“This isn’t about quick fixes,” Cuban said in a club statement.
“Wayne understands pressure, scrutiny and rebuilding from difficult situations. That’s exactly where this club is.”
Rooney embraces the challenge
Rooney, whose managerial career has included turbulent spells at Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle, inherits a squad low on confidence and stripped of momentum by off-field chaos.
Yet the former England captain insisted the scale of the task was part of the appeal.
“This club deserves honesty,” Rooney said.
“The points deduction has changed everything, but what hasn’t changed is the responsibility to fight, rebuild and prepare for the future.”
Rooney is expected to remain in charge
regardless of whether Wednesday are relegated, with Cuban backing him to oversee a full reset next season.
January window opens — but reality bites
Wednesday’s transfer ban has been lifted ahead of the January window, but Mail Sport understands Rooney will be working under
strict financial controls, focusing on free agents, loans and short-term deals.
Survival remains unlikely, but insiders say the emphasis is now firmly on:
- Establishing a clear playing identity
- Integrating academy players
- Preparing for a League One promotion push in 2026–27
Pedersen exits as new era begins
Henrik Pedersen stepped down following talks with Cuban, bringing an end to a brief and difficult reign marked by uncertainty and dwindling resources.
Pedersen leaves with Wednesday adrift near the bottom of the Championship table — but with the club now financially stable for the first time in months.
A gamble — but one with a plan
Rooney’s appointment will divide opinion. Critics point to his recent struggles, while supporters argue that context has often worked against him.
What is undeniable is that Sheffield Wednesday are now betting on
profile, patience and long-term thinking — a stark contrast to the chaos that preceded Cuban’s arrival.
For better or worse, the Rooney era has begun.
And at Hillsborough, where hope has been in short supply, that alone feels like a turning point.
