Dejphon Chansiri criticised as unexpected Sheffield Wednesday takeover development unfolds

Dejphon Chansiri may no longer be in charge of Sheffield Wednesday, but the consequences of his ownership continue to cast a long shadow over the club.

His tenure saw the Owls fall into administration, leading to relegation from the EFL Championship to League One after points deductions were applied.

Financial instability under his leadership, including delayed payments to players and staff, triggered a number of key departures, among them former manager Danny Rohl.

Efforts to stabilise the club are now being led by David Storch and his Arise consortium, who are working to finalise a takeover. However, their plans have been complicated by the likelihood of a further 15-point deduction next season after failing to meet the threshold required to repay creditors.

Storch has publicly criticised the decision, revealing that attempts to challenge the ruling through independent arbitration were rejected. He also highlighted a major obstacle to resolving the club’s financial situation: a significant portion of the debt remains tied to Chansiri, who has yet to agree to any restructuring despite repeated approaches.

Supporters remain frustrated, with many pointing to the lingering impact of Chansiri’s leadership as a key factor holding the club back, even after his departure. Fan pundit Patrick McKenna described the situation as deeply damaging, accusing the former owner of continuing to hinder progress by refusing to engage with efforts to rebuild the club’s finances.

On the pitch, there have been small positives, including a goalless draw against promotion-chasing Coventry City, but the broader picture remains bleak after a difficult campaign.

Questions have also been raised about the effectiveness of the English Football League’s regulations. While points deductions are intended to discourage financial mismanagement, the looming penalty risks punishing new ownership, players, and fans rather than those responsible for the original issues.

If the takeover is completed in time, it would at least allow the club to operate in the transfer market this summer. However, starting next season with a significant points deficit could leave Sheffield Wednesday facing another relegation battle, potentially dropping into League Two and making the club a far less attractive destination for incoming players.