An explosive article by Paul Hirst for The Sunday Times has lifted the lid on what life under Dejphon Chansiri is really like at Sheffield Wednesday — and it’s every bit as chaotic as fans have long suspected.
Overview
The detailed report paints a shocking — and at times surreal — picture of how the club is being run behind the scenes. From bizarre decisions and wild claims to missed opportunities and fractured relationships, Chansiri’s leadership style continues to bewilder supporters and industry insiders alike.
What You Need to Know
- Paul Hirst published an in-depth special report in The Sunday Times about Chansiri’s ownership.
- Shocking claims include bizarre transfer policies, strange off-field decisions, and outlandish proposals.
- Despite years of turmoil, there is growing outside interest in buying the club.
- Wednesday remain largely debt-free but still owe £10m to a Chansiri-owned company and £3m in unpaid transfers.
- Any new owners would need to invest around £10m into stadium infrastructure.
Key Talking Points
- Behind-the-Scenes Chaos
Chansiri conducts all transfer negotiations personally, often rejecting manager requests and interfering in squad planning. - Missed Opportunities
- Rejected a £12m bid for Fernando Forestieri in 2017 despite the player wanting to leave.
- Refused to add a release clause for Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, leading to him leaving on a free transfer.
- Turned down loan deals, including Louie Barry from Aston Villa, over “high” costs.
- Bizarre Decisions
- Allegedly joked about changing the flow of the River Don near Hillsborough.
- Threatened to turn the stadium into flats or a shopping centre “to make a lot of money.”
- Proposed a £1bn blockchain venture that bankers reportedly found “laughable.”
- Involved himself in a mysterious deal around 500kg of “unrefined gold” in Africa.
- Player Loyalty
- Barry Bannan reportedly turned down triple wages elsewhere to stay at Wednesday.
- The Silver Lining
Wealthy individuals with experience in sports ownership are said to be interested in buying the club — but Chansiri’s demands could complicate any deal.
Our Take
What an incredible piece by Paul Hirst. To outsiders, this article must sound unbelievable — but for Sheffield Wednesday fans, none of this is remotely surprising.
For years, supporters have heard strange stories about Chansiri, and this latest report simply confirms what many of us have suspected: he operates in his own bubble, where normal football logic just doesn’t seem to apply.
From rejecting sensible transfer moves to clashing with managers and engaging in bizarre off-field ventures, this paints a picture of a club where decision-making is unpredictable at best, chaotic at worst.
If this is just what we know publicly, you can only imagine the stories behind closed doors. It also helps explain why selling the club has been such a challenge — negotiating with Chansiri seems like a task in itself.
Massive credit must go to Paul Hirst for this article. At a time when fans are desperate for transparency, reports like this are invaluable in exposing the reality behind the scenes at Hillsborough.
This report has caused a huge stir among the fanbase and beyond. But what do you think — is this the final straw for Chansiri’s ownership? Should he step aside for the good of the club?
Join the conversation with us on our socials — we want to hear your views.
Note
This article reflects our opinion based on information reported by Paul Hirst in The Sunday Times, alongside publicly available insights and fan commentary. All credit goes to Paul Hirst and The Sunday Times for the original reporting.
