Lee Gregory’s Sheffield Wednesday return explained | OneFootball

Former Sheffield Wednesday striker Lee Gregory has returned to the club to help work with the U21 team.

Former Sheffield Wednesday striker Lee Gregory has returned to the club to help coach the U21 side, although he doesn’t have a formal position.

The 37-year-old, who was born in Sheffield, spent three years with the Owls towards the end of his career, which included playing a big role as they won promotion from League One in the 2022/23 campaign.

After that, Gregory had a spell with Mansfield before retiring from the game at the end of last season.

Lee Gregory working with Sheffield Wednesday’s development team

Therefore, he is now starting a new chapter in his life, and, like many ex-professionals, it appears he is ready to get into the world of coaching.

That’s after the Sheffield Star revealed that Gregory has been welcomed back to the club by boss Henrik Pedersen to work with the U21 side, and he was on the touchline for their recent game against Hull City.

The report adds that there is ‘nothing formal on the table’ at the moment for Gregory, so he is seemingly just helping out as he learns the ropes himself.

Given their situation, Sheffield Wednesday have had to heavily lean on the academy this season, and they will hope that more talent is coming through the ranks to help Pedersen’s side move forward.

The influence of Lee Gregory will only help Sheffield Wednesday’s youngsters

This makes so much sense for Sheffield Wednesday, as Gregory understands what it means to play for the club.

Of course, we don’t know what Gregory is like as a coach on a day-to-day basis, but it’s not like he has taken charge and is the new manager. He will be there to help and offer advice, and having someone with his experience could be invaluable.

All the U21s are looking to take that next step in their career, and ideally with the Owls, and they will take inspiration from someone like Gregory.

He started out in non-league before eventually working his way into the Championship, so he is someone that the players will be able to relate to, and he knows that it’s not just about talent if you are to make it in the game.

So, it can only benefit Wednesday to have him in and around the youth team, and he will no doubt have some tips for the strikers that will improve their game.

It will be interesting to see whether this does result in a more formal link-up down the line, and whether it’s something that Gregory does want to seriously pursue, but, for now, it seems like an arrangement that suits all parties.