As Sheffield Wednesday heads into what promises to be a turbulent summer, a growing number of fans are urging owner Dejphon Chansiri to sell the club.
Chansiri’s relationship with the fanbase has long been uneasy, but frustrations have escalated recently after he delayed March wage payments to players—nearly triggering a three-window transfer ban for breaching the 30-day deadline on salary or HMRC debt payments.
The Thai owner also had a public fallout with manager Danny Röhl earlier in the campaign, and many supporters blame him for the German’s likely exit this summer, amid links to Southampton, Leicester City, and RB Leipzig.
Tensions reached a peak when roughly 1,000 fans marched through Hillsborough Park to protest Chansiri’s ownership before gathering outside the stadium ahead of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.
While Chansiri has stated he isn’t actively seeking to sell, he has hinted at being open to offers from the right buyer. Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan recently revealed he had encouraged Saudi billionaire Turki Alalshikh to consider a bid for Wednesday.
Fan Response to Turki Alalshikh Speculation
Patrick McKenna, a Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit for FLW, responded positively to the Alalshikh speculation, saying the billionaire could elevate the club’s profile much like Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney did with Wrexham.
“Enough is enough—Chansiri needs to sell, and it must happen soon,” said McKenna. “If we can get Alalshikh interested, that would be a major boost.”
While acknowledging that some may be cautious about Alalshikh’s Saudi background, McKenna stressed that the investor is not linked to the Saudi regime and has no history of controversies in his sporting ventures. He believes Alalshikh’s wealth and connections could revitalize a club that he describes as a “sleeping giant.”
McKenna emphasized that ownership today demands significant resources—something Alalshikh clearly has—and said his involvement could restore Wednesday’s place in English football’s top tier.
“Clubs far smaller than us have overtaken us in recent years. We deserve to be back at the top,” he added. “If Alalshikh comes in, I’d fully support it.”
Chansiri’s Future Still Uncertain
Saturday’s protest was the most significant demonstration yet against Chansiri’s tenure, signaling a shifting mood among supporters. While Alalshikh, who owns Spanish side Almeria and is influential in boxing, appears well-positioned to lead a new era, takeovers are rarely swift—and there’s no guarantee Chansiri would accept an offer, even a strong one.
Still, the mere prospect of a change in ownership is providing long-suffering Wednesday fans with a much-needed glimmer of hope.
