Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri has been a figure of controversy in recent years. But he’s turned a corner this summer.
For the first time in a long time, Sheffield Wednesday fans are speaking somewhat fondly of their often-controversial owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Fans have sung praises of Chansiri following what’s been a hugely impressive summer at Hillsborough, which started with the news of a new three-year contract for Danny Rohl.
Soon after, the Owls started out on their summer transfer business, having brought in nine new players already and having spent money on the likes of Olaf Kobacki and Yan Valery, with bids since lodged for Karamoko Dembele and Ike Ugbo.
Subsequently, Sheffield Wednesday hopes and expectations are growing ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season.
Many back the Owls to improve drastically on their 20th place finish in the last Championship campaign, and maybe even to go on and challenge for a spot in the top six which form from the second half of last season would suggest is plausible.
Rohl will urge caution when predicting the outcome of next season. But after such a positive summer and a positive end to last season, and with the beloved Rohl still in charge, it’s difficult not to predict success for Sheffield Wednesday in 2024/25.
But success next season, and indeed in the coming seasons too, still partly lies with Chansiri, who faces his biggest Sheffield Wednesday test yet.
Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri faces his toughest test yet
Chansiri’s Sheffield Wednesday issues, of which there has been a varied many, have largely boiled down to his apparent desire to want too much control over the footballing side of matters at the club.
That, combined with his outspoken demeanour in the 2023/24 season in particular, made the first half of last season arguably the most uninspiring of his near-10-year reign at Sheffield Wednesday.
This summer, Chansiri has won back some fans. He’s played a huge role in setting the club up for a brighter 2024/25 season and a brighter future.
But once the transfer window closes on August 30th, Chansiri has to take a step back. He has to let Rohl and his coaching team do their thing and step back, stay quiet, and continue to back Rohl in whatever way he needs.
That, for Chansiri, could be his toughest test yet. History suggests that Chansiri doesn’t like being so much of a silent owner, with the times that he has intervened or spoken out having only served to worsen matters.
Rohl though has spoken positively about Chansiri this summer, as well as head of recruitment Kevin Beadell who deserves praise, and the Owls faithful have also spoken positively about the changes seen in Chansiri, in what is proving to be an unusually exciting summer in S6.
Chansiri has a huge chance to finally make amends with the loyal Sheffield Wednesday supporters, though total forgiveness will be reserved for a while longer.