Just as Sheffield Wednesday’s chaotic summer seemed to be getting some order with Danny Rohl’s expected departure, new problems are already brewing.
The 2024/25 campaign was a turbulent one at Hillsborough. Despite Rohl pulling off a minor miracle to steer the club to safety, his departure is now looming—likely prompted by unpaid wages, a fractured relationship with owner Dejphon Chansiri, and an uphill battle in the transfer market.
The club were under a transfer embargo for failure to meet salary obligations, and whispers of a takeover—though welcomed—have so far delivered little clarity. If fans hoped the worst was over, they may need to brace for more. The truth is that, unless dramatic change arrives swiftly, the downward spiral is far from finished. Here’s why the storm clouds may still thicken over S6.
Barry Bannan Exit Would Signal the End of an Era
If one player represents Sheffield Wednesday’s modern identity, it’s Barry Bannan. The club captain has given nearly a decade of service, dragging the Owls through the trenches of League One and shining even amid instability. But that loyalty may now be tested to breaking point. The 35-year-old is out of contract imminently and is being linked with West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City, and even the ambitious Hollywood-owned outfit Wrexham.
While reports conflict on whether West Brom have made formal contact, there’s little doubt that interest exists—Bannan’s stats in 2024/25 remain elite. He ranked among the Championship’s best for progressive passes and shot-creating actions, offering undeniable value even in a struggling side. For Wednesday, losing their talisman would not only create a creative void but erode one of the few remaining ties to the club’s better years. His departure—on a free, no less—would be a devastating symbolic blow to supporters who already feel abandoned by the club’s direction.
Possible Points Deduction Would Undermine the Whole Season
The unpaid wages debacle hasn’t just damaged morale—it risks tangible consequences in the form of EFL sanctions. Clubs are given strict timelines to resolve wage issues, and Wednesday have already accrued two weeks under embargo. Should that surpass 30 days, the Owls would face a ban on paying transfer, loan, or compensation fees across three full windows. That would torpedo any chance of squad building, even if Rohl stays.
Worse still, a points deduction looms large. Reading, Wigan, and Morecambe have all suffered multi-point penalties for wage breaches, and Wednesday—already repeat offenders—could be next. The club were relegated the last time they were hit with a deduction. To start the new campaign in the red or under embargo would be catastrophic. Even if they somehow hold on to key players, their ability to strengthen—or even function—will be severely compromised.
Training Ground Chaos Symbolises Deeper Dysfunction
Pre-season should be a time for cohesion, preparation, and new beginnings. At Sheffield Wednesday, it’s become another flashpoint. The club’s Middlewood Road training facility is not ready for the return of the squad, with works still underway and delays pushing the venue into disarray. While this might be spun as an infrastructure investment, the timing is utterly disastrous.
Without a functional base for pre-season, the team’s conditioning, tactical planning, and recruitment integration will all suffer. It’s another example of poor forward planning—an affliction that continues to define Dejphon Chansiri’s ownership. Whether these delays are tied to the club’s financial woes or not, the optics are dire. After the unrest of last season, Wednesday needed a smooth, focused summer. Instead, they’ve started it without a manager, a squad in limbo, and a physical home in tatters.
The Wrong Takeover Could Make Things Even Worse
Hope springs eternal when new ownership is discussed—but fans must also be careful what they wish for. American businessman John Textor has reportedly shown interest in purchasing the club, but his track record is concerning. Textor’s other club, Olympique Lyonnais, has just been relegated from Ligue 1—despite finishing sixth—due to financial mismanagement under his watch.
French football’s watchdogs found Lyon’s business plan unsustainable, and their debts overwhelming. For Wednesday fans, the idea of swapping one chaotic owner for another—especially one with a history of tanking a major European side—is deeply unsettling. Sheffield-born businessman Adam Shaw is a preferred option among fans, but until Chansiri lowers his “astronomical” asking price, no takeover appears close. If the wrong buyer is allowed in, or the right one is blocked, the club risks compounding its crisis rather than escaping it.
Conclusion
Just when Sheffield Wednesday looked like they might begin to stabilise, the cracks are widening. The club is lurching towards a summer without a manager, potentially without their talismanic captain, and possibly facing sanctions that would cripple any rebuild. The infrastructure isn’t ready, the finances are dire, and even the prospect of new ownership brings fear rather than relief. Danny Rohl’s departure may have felt like the nadir, but in truth, it could merely be the end of the beginning. For Wednesday fans, the nightmare may not be over just yet.
