The Danny Rohl verdict that both Barry Bannan and Josh Windass agreed on at Sheffield Wednesday | OneFootball

Josh Windass and Barry Bannan have made comments on Danny Rohl's time at Sheffield Wednesday, with the German now in charge of Red Bull Salzburg...

Danny Rohl left Sheffield Wednesday in July 2025, but not without leaving a serious impression on both Barry Bannan and Josh Windass at Hillsborough during that time.

In truth, Danny Rohl made a huge impact at Hillsborough, arriving with Sheffield Wednesday bottom of the Championship and winless after 11 games before leading them to survival. He then guided the Owls to 12th in his only full season despite growing off-field problems under Dejphon Chansiri.

The German manager eventually left by mutual consent in July 2025, citing things like a lack of dialogue and the club's financial issues, before joining Rangers on a two-and-a-half-year deal in October. He has since moved on to Red Bull Salzburg and has been there since June.

Barry Bannan and Josh Windass praise Danny Rohl at Sheffield Wednesday

Action Images

Things did not end well for Rohl at Rangers last season, but he is still remembered well by most connected to Sheffield Wednesday. Not only that, but both Barry Bannan and Josh Windass were in no doubt about Rohl's quality during their time together at Sheffield Wednesday.

Per The Star, Bannan described the German as “probably the best manager” he had worked under back in 2023, having been particularly impressed by Rohl's tactical ideas and ability to spot things other coaches had not.

He added: "We have got a top manager involved now, and it’s difficult to describe it but I would say he is probably the best manager I have had in my whole football career. We need to trust in him to get us out of this because I think he is destined for the top.

"I have sometimes found myself in team meetings thinking; ‘wow’, kind of thing. Or ‘how has he seen that?’ He has shown me things on the tactics board, in meetings and in games that I have never seen any manager do.

Windass independently reached an equally strong conclusion, praising his detail, understanding, and ability to explain his demands. Windass spoke during an interview with Sky Sports in 2024: "It’s been a tough season for everyone, but since Danny’s come in, he’s changed the way we play, and he’s changed the way we all think.

"He’s probably the best coach I’ve ever worked with. I just hope we can finish it off with survival.”

"His detail, and his understanding. Some players may understand things quicker than others and I don’t think he gets frustrated by that, he takes time with each individual, making sure that everyone fully knows what he wants.

"Obviously, sometimes it doesn’t work out like that when we go into games and things happen… but usually we go into matches and the game plan he gives us is spot on.

“Since he’s come in I think we’re a mid-table team, which, with the group we’ve got, is unbelievable. Hopefully, we can stay up and Danny can get what he wants, and we can move forward.”

What could have been for Danny Rohl and Sheffield Wednesday

Action Images

Given the pair's experience and importance at Hillsborough, their shared verdict says plenty about Rohl's impact. That is what makes Rohl's departure such a shame for Sheffield Wednesday.

Under different circumstances, particularly had Dejphon Chansiri's damaging ownership spell ended sooner, there is a strong chance Rohl could still be at Hillsborough and working with a competitive squad in 2026/27.

Given what he previously achieved, Wednesday might even have been targeting promotion rather than rebuilding after relegation. Instead, the Owls' prolonged crisis ultimately cost them their highly-rated manager, with Henrik Pedersen now leading the David Storch-era rebuild in League One.

Pedersen deserves credit for steering Wednesday through an extraordinarily difficult period, but the sense of what might have been with Rohl will remain for a long time. Windass has left and Bannan has departed and returned. In an alternative reality, they are also present.

Danny Rohl's start to life at Red Bull Salzburg

Action Images

Rohl has made an excellent start to life at Salzburg, with 4-1 and 5-1 victories over the Vienna clubs in the last few weeks further providing an early statement of intent.

The only blemish so far in the league was a draw away to Wolfsberger on the opening day, meaning his side have otherwise looked extremely impressive and he builds on a reputation he started to gain with Sheffield Wednesday.

Bannan and Windass' comments continue to age well, as Salzburg have also navigated their Europa League qualifying round, securing their place in the competition's league phase with a comfortable aggregate victory over Mjallby and Pafos.