Let's Röhl With It

 

On Friday, Danny Röhl became the thirty-eighth man to take charge of Sheffield Wednesday. It’s an intriguing and potentially exciting appointment and one that seems to, in the main, have brought some much needed togetherness within the fan base.

What Do We Think?

Considering Röhl hasn’t been a manager before, there is a genuine sense of optimism in the fan base. After a nightmare spell under the previous manager, there does seem to have been a really warm reception to the appointment of the thirty-four year old German.
From a personal point of view, I agree. I think it’s a really progressive move and one Sheffield Wednesday haven’t done enough of over the years. Lets get the main things out of the way first. Yeah, it doesn’t change the fact we need wins, it doesn’t change the ongoing situation with the owner, it doesn’t change the fact we’re not in a great place as a club. What it does do though, is show that maybe there is some sort of long term thinking going on at Hillsborough.

While I, and many other fans, thought maybe a more experienced firefighting manager was the more sensible choice on paper, there is a lot of logic to taking on someone like Röhl who has worked under some big names and at some stellar clubs. We need someone who can get the best out of this squad, that is a coach, someone who can actually instil a playing style on this group of players, it’s very unlikely the squad will change too much between now and the end of the January window, so making the most of what he has will be a key feature I’d imagine.

Speaking Well and Different Röhls.

I was really impressed with Danny’s opening interview. I know I said that about Xisco, and to be honest that was about as good as Xisco’s interviews got, but with Danny I got a real sense of someone who has a genuine belief in what he’s setting out to do.
He’s worked at different clubs with different jobs involved on that journey and that adaptability is something that I think could be a real asset to us. His video analysis background will help in terms of helping players improve, also working with the analysts here to improve training, in match situations and potentially recruitment. Being a younger coach as well might make the initial integration period easier for him as well.

I think it’s important he already has some experience of English football, he isn’t coming in totally to a new culture and from what Southampton fans have said, it all sounds very positive. After his spell as a Saint, he went onto to assist Niko Kovač and then Hansi Flick as German giants Bayern Munich won the treble in 2019/20. That winning mentality can only be a good thing.

Key Details

I think there are some really positive signs from Danny Röhl. First of all, the fact he wanted the job in the summer and that interested didn’t die down after missing out to Xisco. That wanting of the job for me, is massive. I always think it’s better to have someone who says yes straight away rather than have to try and convince someone. The desire to work here is worth something at the very least.
It’s also an excellent sign that the off the field events of the last few months haven’t put him off. That shows a strength of character and a belief in the squad he has inherited. I think some managers would look at what has gone on at Sheffield Wednesday since promotion and run a mile. It tells you something about Röhl’s character that he seemed to run the other way. He wants to be here.
Another big thing he did in his initial interviews, he mentioned last season’s incredible Play Off comeback and win at Wembley. While yes, that doesn’t have any impact on this season, it does create a certain bond between the fans and manager. Understanding the football club you have walked into is a massive thing and sadly, one I think the previous manager failed to grasp. Understanding the way that the majority of the squad got into this division is important. It wasn’t just a great comeback, it was a defining moment in the recent history of the club. That Peterborough second leg will go down in history as one of the greatest nights in Sheffield Wednesday history. Whoever is in the dugout needs to understand that.

It’s also a good sign that he got stuck in straight away with attending the Under 21’s game at Hillsborough against Sheffield United. It would have been easy after a long day to head back to a hotel and chill out, I’d imagine but attending the game and watching the entertaining 2-2 draw in person is a good sign. Will any of the young lads have caught the eye? Maybe. I think it’s a key area we need to get better at, not just producing players but knowing when to put them in and when maybe to take them out. I’d like to think a conversation has already been had or will be had in the next few days between Neil Thompson and Danny Röhl, even if only brief, about who is where in the set up.

Fixtures Present An Opportunity

I think the first three games of Röhl’s time in charge do give him a chance of a good start. Watford aren’t in great form, Plymouth have hit a sticky patch and Rotherham don’t tend to travel well. Now, I’m fully aware that we could lose all three of those games. That wouldn’t surprise me, but the point remains, it’s a chance of Danny to maybe get an early win under his belt. He, and just as importantly, we all need that win. We’re in a difficult situation, I know some people have already written us off. I don’t think you can do that with thirty-five games of football left to play. So much can change between now and May. If we can go to Sunderland on the final day of the season with a chance, then I’d take it. I genuinely think this squad has more gears to go. The previous manager didn’t get anywhere near enough out of this squad.

Lets Give It Some Time

I don’t think this will be a quick fix. It’d be amazing if there is an instant impact and we could suddenly be winning more than we lose. I think it’ll be a process and we need to understand that and stick with it. A big reason why it unravelled so quickly under the last manager was his poor communication in interviews, refusing to answer questions and a lack of a tactical plan. If Röhl can avoid those pitfalls then he’ll get the time from me. His initial interviews and write ups have been good. I’m fascinated to see how this all plays out. There will be tough moments, he’s a young manager, starting his career and in a different country. Lets give him the time he needs.

Sometimes Patience And Perspective Is Needed

One thing I did notice during the last week since the initial report of Röhl being interviewed was the amount of people who after a few days just gave up on the idea of Röhl and thought it had to be finished because he hadn’t been announced.

If you’re appointing a manager or signing a player from Europe then there is going to be red tape, especially one who has just left the role of Assistant Manager of the German National Team. Add to that the fact he’s bringing in a number of coaches from Germany and the other logistical factors that come with moving countries. It’s just one of those things, the process takes as long as it takes. I think it’s a sad sign of how the club has handled a lot of situations that naturally, people expect the worst. ‘This exciting, progressive, young coach can’t possibly be coming here because of X, Y, Z’, that kind of thing. Always best to wait and see. Always go with trusted sources rather than what ‘some guy’ has said on social media.

So, there we go. Those are my thoughts on the appointment of Danny Röhl. I really really hope it works out for him and for us all. It’s been a tough time after the joy of promotion. It is time to look forward now.

We’ll see how it goes. Willkommen in Hillsborough, Danny.

Thanks for reading,

Tom

WAWAW