Sheffield Wednesday have suffered a torrid start to the summer transfer window.
The 2024/25 season should have concluded with optimism in Hillsborough, since they improved on their relegation battle the previous season with a 12th-place result.
However, turmoil has not left the blue and white half of the Steel City in recent months, with managerial uncertainty and delayed payments creating a frantic period for everyone linked with the Owls.
Here’s the latest news on Sheffield Wednesday at this turbulent time.
Danny Rohl exit looms
Danny Rohl has not been shy about his wish to leave Hillsborough this summer, having grown disillusioned of Dejphon Chansiri’s ownership.
The 36-year-old had been linked with a transfer to Bundesliga club Wolfsburg, but former Go Ahead Eagles manager Paul Simonis got the nod instead.
Middlesborough are said to have Rohl on their list of Michael Carrick successors, however, as with Southampton, the German’s compensation money is causing problems for Boro.
| Danny Rohl’s record as Sheffield Wednesday’s manager | |
|---|---|
| Games in charge | 89 |
| Wins | 34 |
| Draws | 19 |
| Losses | 36 |
| Points per game | 1.36 |
| Source: Sofascore | |
According to the Sun, the release clause for Premier League clubs is £4 million, with a somewhat lower figure for second-tier sides.
Wednesday and Rohl will both try to reach an amicable divorce as quickly as possible so that they may best prepare for the upcoming season.
Potential takeover still not gaining traction
Sheffield Wednesday players, coaching staff, and behind-the-scenes employees were not paid in full at the end of May for the second time.
Chansiri’s personal cash flow concerns have led to this situation, with the EFL taking action and punishing the club, according to the BBC.
A Florida-based partnership led by billionaire John Flanagan and Sheffield-born Adam Shaw made two bids for Wednesday, the first of which was presented in April and was rejected by the club as ‘derisory’.
A better bid for the club has been rejected yet again, and a takeover does not appear to be any closer, despite Chansiri and Co.’s dire predicament.
Barry Bannan contract situation unclear
Amidst Wednesday’s present financial turmoil, a handful of players’ contract situations remain uncertain.
One of these is Barry Bannan, who has made nearly 450 appearances for the Owls and continues to contribute at the age of 35.
prominently in Sheffield Wednesday’s starting eleven.
According to the Sheffield Star, the EFL may refuse to register players whose contracts need to be extended past the end of June, with the Scottish midfielder still in talks with the club about a new term.
It would be a crushing loss for the Owls if Bannan and Rohl both left at the same time, since the team would lose two massive pillars that have helped kept the dressing room together throughout this turbulent times.
However, it appears unlikely that these concerns will be rectified soon. This will be a sobering reality for everyone connected at the club as the new season approaches.
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