Sheffield Wednesday supporters have had little to celebrate in recent months.
Relegation to League One in February pushed the club even deeper into uncertainty, with frustration around ownership and the future continuing to grow around Hillsborough.
That gloomy backdrop perhaps explains why Carlos Carvalhal’s name still carries so much affection in Sheffield.
Portuguese newspaper O Jogo dedicated a major feature this week to Carvalhal’s spell at Wednesday, a period now being revisited through a new book called “Carlos Had a Dream”, written by journalist Dominick Howson.
The book revisits the 2015/16 season, when Wednesday reached the Championship play-off final against Hull City and came within one match of a Premier League return. The club have not played in the top flight since 1999/00.
For many supporters, that campaign still represents the emotional peak of Sheffield Wednesday’s modern history.
From scepticism to belief
Howson explained to the Portuguese press that Carvalhal arrived at Hillsborough surrounded by doubts.
“With him, it was a real leap into the unknown,” he said. “He had coached big clubs, but had never worked in England. Many supporters were disappointed with Stuart Gray’s dismissal because he had achieved success with a limited budget.”
The scepticism extended beyond the stands.
“Carvalhal walked into a sceptical dressing room, a sceptical fanbase and a sceptical press box,” Howson recalled.
That mood did not last long. Wednesday had finished 13th in the Championship before Carvalhal’s arrival. Expectations were modest, even after owner Dejphon Chansiri increased spending. Yet the Portuguese coach quickly transformed the atmosphere around the club.
“The first season was innovative, fun and full of possibilities,” Howson said. “Wednesday signed 15 players, but he built a cohesive and expressive team almost instantly. The football was bold and entertaining.”
Players such as Barry Bannan, Ross Wallace, Fernando Forestieri and Gary Hooper became symbols of a side that suddenly felt alive again. Forestieri, in particular, emerged as one of the Championship’s standout performers that season.
Wednesday lost only two home league matches during the 2015/16 campaign. Hillsborough became loud again. Crowds grew. Optimism spread across the city.
Howson believes the emotional impact explains why Carvalhal still occupies a special place in the club’s modern story.
“He gave belief, identity and joy,” the author explained. “His personality resonated deeply. The supporters embraced him wholeheartedly and sang ‘Carlos Had a Dream’.”
The chant eventually became one of the defining symbols of that era.
“The atmosphere changed overnight”
The timing of the book release feels significant. Wednesday are preparing for another painful rebuild after relegation, while memories of the Carvalhal years continue to grow stronger with time.
For younger supporters especially, that run to Wembley has become their reference point for what the club can still be. Howson made that point clearly.
“For younger generations, the 2015/16 season defines the club,” he said. “It is no longer the era of Di Canio or Benito Carbone and the excitement of the 1990s. That trip to Wembley was monumental.”
The author repeatedly returned to the idea that Carvalhal changed not only results, but the feeling around Sheffield Wednesday itself.
“He injected joy and ended years of apathy,” Howson explained. “Supporters filled Hillsborough again to watch bold football.”
He then described how quickly the mood shifted around the club.
“The atmosphere changed overnight. Each week the euphoria grew. There was freedom and personality in the team, and characters in the dressing room. We had a stadium that was noisy and hopeful again. Belief spread through the city.”
Howson also believes Carvalhal’s personality played a major role in creating that connection.
“He connected with people beyond the results. There was charisma and humour,” he said.
That emotional attachment remains strong even now, despite the club’s difficult situation.
“Carvalhal was the club’s first foreign manager and became a unique chapter in our modern history,” Howson added. “With him, it was the last time Wednesday truly felt close to the Premier League, with exciting football and a vibrant atmosphere.”
The author admitted the current reality at Hillsborough makes those memories feel even heavier.
“It is sad to see where we are,” he said. “But Carvalhal is still popular among supporters. He created memories that lasted far beyond the disappointment.”
