Danny Rohl heads into his first ever Steel City derby on Sunday afternoon, and the Sheffield Wednesday boss is already dreaming about what could happen if his team win the game.
It has now been more than five years since the last meeting between Sheffield Wednesday and their fierce local rivals, with the two sides having been divided by their respective promotions and relegations over the last few years.
Now, the Owls and the Blades are fighting it out in the same division, albeit with slightly different goals this season — Wednesday are keen to consolidate their position in the Championship and steer clear of a relegation battle, while United will be looking to return to the Premier League once more.
Danny Rohl has discussed the idea of his team being the ‘underdogs’ for the impending derby, and the Sheffield Wednesday boss is going to need to rally his troops to get a result away at one of the strongest teams in the league.
With bragging rights on the line, the city of Sheffield is waiting with bated breath to witness the outcome at Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon, in a game that means more than any other this season for both sets of fans.
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Danny Rohl relishing Steel City derby atmosphere
This may be Danny Rohl’s first taste of derby day, but the magnitude of the game is not lost on the German coach at all.
Speaking to The Star ahead of the match, Rohl discussed the atmosphere he expects at Bramall Lane, and what he has been dreaming of when it comes to celebrating a famous win for his team.
“Everybody says it will be an incredible atmosphere, a really special one,” Rohl said. “This is the message from everyone. In front of the game it is this atmosphere and after the game it is about the result.
“If the result is a good one, the atmosphere will be outstanding. I look a little bit in the future and imagine going to our supporters, our massive fans, and we could really celebrate something. It could be really special, this day.”
- READ MORE: The three Sheffield Wednesday Academy stars that helped secure a famous Steel City Derby away win
A momentous day for Danny Rohl and Sheffield Wednesday
Not only will Sunday’s game be Rohl’s first against Sheffield United, it will also be the 35-year-old’s 50th league game in charge for the Owls.
He has won 20 of those previous 49 matches since last October, and masterminded Wednesday’s incredible fight for survival last season when all hope was lost.
| Statistic | Danny Rohl at Sheffield Wednesday (prior to Steel City derby) |
|---|---|
| Games managed | 49 |
| Games won | 20 |
| Games drawn | 8 |
| Games lost | 21 |
| Win % | 40.81 |
With a win against United this afternoon, the Owls would break into the top half of the Championship table, and it would be a real statement of their intent for the season; to not only survive, but thrive in this division.
There’s no doubt Rohl already has the affection of the Sheffield Wednesday faithful, but beating their rivals for the first time since 2012 would send the travelling supporters into raptures, and write their young manager into Owls folklore.