Having done a German media tour talking like he’d already left Sheffield Wednesday and was free to negotiate his next position, even saying he had some sort of exit agreement, Danny Röhl went quiet for a bit.
His flirting with the managerial vacancy at RB Leipzig didn’t really get him anywhere and it felt like the only way he’d have a chance is if a long line of options either rejected the club or weren’t available, providing a similar scenario to when Bayern Munich appointed Vincent Kompany.
Röhl has now invited German newspaper Bild to Sheffield Wednesday to have a chat, likely concerned his name hasn’t been mentioned in the country’s media for a week or so, and they title the article: ‘After the miracle in Sheffield! Röhl wants to return to the Bundesliga as boss.’
Bild go on to say the manager had had a ‘remarkable success story with cash-strapped Sheffield Wednesday’.
The miracle mentioned in the headline presumably relates to keeping Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship after they looked headed for relegation when he arrived.
Bild suggest it was a lot to take on at the time, and Röhl replied: “Something like that doesn’t scare me; I wanted to build something. That’s why I’m grateful that the club and the owner gave me the chance to show what I can do. In the remaining 35 games, we picked up a total of 53 points – and stayed in the league. That was sensational – and a historic season!”
Asked what he changed first at Sheffield Wednesday in order to build his Great Escape, the manager said: “At first, possession and scoring opportunities were important. Our possession rate was 25% There were hardly any scoring opportunities. We then played much more courageous football, less waiting around.”
Bild were invited by Röhl into what the German newspaper describe at the coaching room at Hillsborough, and they have an image showing their journalist and the manager there.
Despite being at Sheffield Wednesday facilities and still being under contract with The Owls, when asked when he’ll be returning to the Bundesliga, this time as a head coach, he said: “If it were up to me, as soon as possible. The Bundesliga is obviously something special because I grew up with it. For me, it’s always about working at the highest level. I want to compete against the best teams, with the best coaches. I have the good feeling that I’ve been able to generate significant added value over the last 18, 19 months in a demanding league with very different playing styles.”
Bild, being deferential, point out RB Leipzig had the manager on their shortlist, to which he said: “Of course, you’re followed as an RB Leipzig coach, especially if you stand for a certain style of play. As for Jürgen Klopp: I met him as part of my football coaching license when we spent a week in Liverpool. Leipzig, the Bundesliga – that’s obviously a package, which would be something special. Especially since I witnessed the club’s development from the very beginning. Back then, we started with four employees in the youth academy.”
Outright asked if there was contact, he left it open: “I don’t want to say anything about that.”
Röhl, who couldn’t make it much clearer he wants out of Sheffield Wednesday, has also been linked with the likes of Leicester City, Southampton, West Brom and VfL Wolfsburg, but wasn’t actually offered any of those positions.
Despite that he’s keen to embrace the reported interest and use it to try and attract more: “I see the interest from clubs as validation of my work. There were enquiries last year, too, even from Germany, from the Bundesliga. It feels good that my name is constantly being mentioned both here in England and in Germany. But I also know that football is fast-paced. The last 18 or 19 months are no reason to rest. I remain very, very ambitious. And I’m always ready to work hard. We’ll see what happens in the summer.”
The Sheffield Wednesday manager will have to hope that this attempt to stir up Bundesliga interest is more successful than his last.
