With the club’s existence in jeopardy, Sheffield Wednesday began their 2025/26 Championship season against Leicester on Sunday afternoon. Despite losing 2-1, Owls fans were thrilled to see a team assembled in the most unusual circumstances perform excellently at the King Power Stadium.
An exit for owner Dejphon Chansiri is proving difficult, prompting the departure of manager Danny Röhl last month. At the same time, Henrik Pedersen has a depleted squad at his disposal.
However, fans are starting to see more good indicators. Here’s the most recent update on what fans throughout the country are hoping is a pending takeover at Hillsborough.
Travelling Owls fans stage protest
A decade after arriving with grandiose hopes and top-flight fans, Chansiri is now Hillsborough’s public enemy number one. As they began their Championship campaign against Leicester, a plane circled the King Power Stadium with the words “Dejphon Chansiri Out.” Another banner, with the same message, is placed across empty seats.
Around 2,000 Wednesday fans stood outside the away end before taking their seats five minutes after the game began, prompting thunderous acclaim from Leicester fans.
In 2020, the club received a 12-point deduction, which was reduced to six on appeal, for violating the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability guidelines. This resulted in relegation from the Championship in 2021, with their eventual comeback in 2023. They were subjected to a transfer embargo that same year due to late payments to HMRC. Since players and staff have gone unpaid, and players have left, Wednesday’s team has become threadbare.
Sheffield Wednesday Losses Since 2021 (Companies House)
Financial Year
Reported Financial Loss
2020-21
£25.8 million
2021-22
£7.3 million
2022-23
£7.2 million
2023-24
£10 million
Hillsborough’s North Stand has been closed owing to structural issues. With Wednesday’s first home game of the season against Stoke on Saturday, the message is clear: fans want one thing: a change in ownership.
Big update emerges – John Textor takes action
According to writer Alan Nixon, talks had been undertaken with first-team squad members to avoid a strike before Wednesday’s match against Leicester. According to a recent Guardian article, businessman John Textor has teamed up with football financier Keith Harris, and Textor is looking to take over Hillsborough.
Last week, Textor told journalist Alan Myers that he is seeking for a classic English club to acquire or partner with. I haven’t spoken with anyone at Sheffield Wednesday yet, but I’m keeping an eye on things and hoping to gain a better understanding.” Textor praised Wednesday as a club, saying, “Whenever I talk about how I think the system should be better, I often use Sheffield Wednesday as an example of a big traditional club that deserves to be champions, or at least have the opportunity to be.”
Textor has had a difficult recent history with football. He recently resigned down from his leadership role at French club Lyon, who narrowly avoided relegation to Ligue 2 after being sent down owing to financial issues.
He had also been associated with Crystal Palace at the same time, albeit with minimal influence. However, for Wednesday supporters, the main worry is getting someone in the door to keep the club solvent, and Textor appears to be the most willing to do so right now.
Transfer positivity for Wednesday supporters
The EFL’s wage cap and squad limit will be eased on Wednesday, according to recent reports. However, the Owls cannot sign players for a charge. According to reports, Wednesday are interested in recruiting Manchester United youth players Harry Amass and Toby Collyer on loan. And manager Pedersen said: “We need new players, otherwise you cannot play a Championship with 46 games,” following his side’s 2-1 loss over Leicester.
“We need some guys very quickly, but still, we need to have the right feeling when we sign someone.”
The most essential component in these discussions now is that Wednesday can resume squad planning, with The Star reporting that the Owls are considering “more than 60 transfer options.” Even if a change of ownership occurs quickly, Wednesday will be unable to invest on players. However, there are indicators that Pedersen will be able to get the support he needs to keep the team in the Championship this season.
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