Dave Challinor Set for League One Return with Sheffield Wednesday Leading Race

Dave Challinor is closing in on a return to management, but like former club Stockport County, he won’t be leaving SkyBet League One, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Challinor quit as Hatters’ chief at the start of the month after County lost their Wembley play-off final to Bolton Wanderers.

The 50-year-old former Tranmere Rovers defender was expected to step up to join Championship side Blackburn Rovers.

But the Lancashire club’s hierarchy decided to give the job, perhaps surprisingly, to former boss Tony Mowbray.

Challinor was also heavily linked with stepping down a division to succeed Karl Robinson at Salford City. 

But, as SportsBoom exclusively revealed earlier this week,ex-Peterborough chief Darren Ferguson is now expected to add to the Manchester United connection at Moor Lane.

DESTINATION

However, the biggest clue to Challinor’s next destination came when former club Stockport confirmed the departure of chief executive officer and Director of Football, Simon Wilson.

Wilson had been with the club for six years but is now tipped to become Sheffield Wednesday’s new sporting director.

And that appointment will open the door for Challinor to move in and try to guide the Owls back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Wednesday is still wedded to Danish manager Henrik Pedersen. There are plenty of Owls’ fans who feel Pedersen should be given his chance to manage on a level playing field now that the club’s future is secure.

FINANCIAL BREACH

The Yorkshire outfit picked up points in 14 games but were relegated, unable to overcome an 18-point deduction for breach of financial regulations.

Another large deficit was expected, but on Wednesday will begin, like the other teams, at a zero-starting point. 

Unlike Pedersen, Challinor knows the division inside out and has an outstanding track record for winning promotions both at Stockport and previously in non-league.

Leicester City are also understood to be interested in his services and could offer him a way back into the game, but the Owls have concrete plans on Challinor and Wilson linking up again, this time at Hillsborough.