What Dejphon Chansiri first said when he took over from Mandaric at Sheffield Wednesday | OneFootball

Dejphon Chansiri purchased his stake in Sheffield Wednesday in 2015

Dejphon Chansiri completed his takeover of Sheffield Wednesday in 2015 after a £30 million agreement with Milan Mandaric.

The Owls were in their third campaign back in the Championship at that point, having been promoted from League One One in 2012.

It was reported by the Guardian that the Thai businessman purchased the Yorkshire outfit in a deal worth £30 million, setting his sights on Premier League football.

However, 10 years have passed since that deal was completed and they have yet to return to the top flight.

The Owls came close when Chansiri’s team, led by manager Carlos Carvalhal, finished sixth and fourth in back-to-back seasons in 2015/16 and 2016/17.

Chansiri’s first words as Sheffield Wednesday owner

Chansiri outlined his ambitions for Sheffield Wednesday in January 2015, claiming his son Att as inspiration for their drive to bring the club back to the Premier League.

He highlighted the Owls’ massive potential given their great history in English football, and was looking forward to being involved in improving their fortunes.

“I am very excited at the prospect of taking over control from Milan,” said Chansiri, via the Guardian.

“I believe this club has huge potential and I can assure all our supporters that I will be working extremely hard to bring the success that I already sense from my short time in your city our supporters so desperately crave.

“My son Att, who was a mascot at the recent Blackpool game, is passionate about football and I know will be my inspiration in this project.

“I have made the same promise to him as I do our supporters.

“He will not let me forget this until we are back in the Premier League.

“Milan has been a wonderful owner of the club, taking over at a very difficult time and guiding it out of League One and handing it over with much still to play for this season in the Championship.

“I am pleased he has agreed to remain a supporter of the club.

“I am sure with his football knowledge and business expertise he will be of invaluable help to me.”

Dejphon Chansiri’s impact at Sheffield Wednesday

Chansiri made a positive initial impact at the start of his time at Sheffield Wednesday, with the appointment of Carvalhal in June 2015 being his first major decision at the club.

The Portuguese proved an excellent hire, with the team improving to sixth in his first campaign in charge after coming 13th in 2014/15.

While a play-off final defeat to Hull City followed, the team bounced back from that disappointment to finish fourth in the Championship just 12 months later, again missing out on promotion in the play-offs with a defeat to Huddersfield Town.

But Carvalhal’s time at the club came to an end just a few months later, with his side struggling to maintain their competitiveness, finishing 15th in the following term.

The Owls have yet to recover to that position in English football since, as their decline ultimately led to relegation in 2021.

Play-off heartbreak in 2022 led to play-off success in 2023, with Danny Rohl overseeing their survival from instant relegation, with the side coming 20th in the Championship table in 2024.

However, a failure to pay player salaries on time in March 2025, as reported by the BBC, has fuelled fresh speculation a change in ownership could once again be on the cards at Hillsborough.