Former Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is being tipped to replace Carvalhal at Sheffield Wednesday.
Former Sheffield Wednesday player Michael Gray
Michael Gray has offered a strong opinion on rumours surrounding the future of Sheffield Wednesday head coach Carlos Carvalhal.
Carvalhal is on the verge of leading the Owls to a second successive Championship play-off final, but his future is growing increasingly uncertain beyond the end of this season.
Despite announcing a year ago he had signed a new three-year contract at Hillsborough, it recently emerged the Portuguese’s deal expires this summer.
And The Daily Mail reported on Monday that Carvalhal could be replaced by Alan Pardew, the former Crystal Palace manager, at Wednesday – regardless of whether the Owls are promoted.
It’s an outcome that would not sit well with Gray, who spent 18 months on the Yorkshire side’s books as a player.
“How can you even be thinking about changing? It’s like [Wednesday are] turning around and saying you’re a great Championship manager but if you do get promoted you’re not good enough; we know you’re not good enough to manage in the Premier League so we’re going to make a change. It’s really bizarre,” the 42-year-old told Talksport on Tuesday.
Sheffield Wednesday head coach Carlos Carvalhal
On whether Pardew would be a suitable replacement for Carvalhal, Gray added: “Look, I think football would be a better place for someone like Alan Pardew back in it.
“He’s a football man, he’s got huge experience; not just as a player but as a manager. I think he’s managed over 700 games.
“But there’s [nothing] to say he’s going to do a better job at Sheffield Wednesday if they do get promoted, and keep them in the Premier League. Why can’t Carvalhal have an opportunity to do that? He’s the one who got them there in the first place – if they do get there.
“The speculation has come out at the wrong time and it’s very, very bizarre.”
Former Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew
It is believed locally that Carvalhal enjoys a healthy relationship with Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri, who brought the 51-year-old to Hillsborough from obscurity in July 2015.
Should Sheffield Wednesday stick with Carvalhal if they make it to the Premier League?
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