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Sheffield Wednesday coach resigns, staff take action, John Textor talks potential takeover

Sheffield Wednesday coach Andy Parslow resigns, staff take action, and John Textor talks about a potential takeover of the club.

Controversial owner Dejphon Chansiri has once again failed to pay staff on time in September – the fifth time that this has happened in the last seven months, but the situation has gone on far too long that staff are now facing terminating their own contract to put their families first.

Parslow took up the role of first team coach at the Owls in September 2024 and had initially been a set piece specialist under Danny Rohl.

The former Swansea and AFC Wimbledon coach continued this with current manager Henrik Pedersen, but has now confirmed in a LinkedIn post that he has departed Hillsborough.

He wrote: “Yesterday, I made the difficult decision to terminate my contract at Sheffield Wednesday FC and will now be seeking an immediate return to employment.

“In the difficult circumstances that we have faced, I have tried to do the very best that I can for the club, but my family are and always will be my priority, and I have taken this decision with their best interests at the forefront.

“We have been privileged to call Sheffield our home for the past year. My son was born here and my daughter knows all the words to Hi Ho Sheffield Wednesday, which has become an anthem in our house.

“I want to thank Danny Rohl firstly, for bringing me to the club in September last year and for his guidance and support throughout that season. Also, Henrik Pedersen for his unwavering support and strength since taking charge. I also want to thank all of the players for their outstanding efforts in my time at the club and how they have conducted themselves throughout. All of the staff at the club, a fantastic group of people who I wish nothing but the best for in the future. A special mention as well for Ben King who I worked closely with in our department.

“Lastly, to the fans. An incredible group of people that have cheered us on at home and provided by far the best away following that I have ever seen – thank you for your support and your love for this fantastic football club.

“I leave with a heavy heart and will always follow Wednesday’s results moving forwards. Thank you, Andy.”

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Meanwhile, Alex Miller reports that ‘a growing number of Sheffield Wednesday staff have unionised over ongoing payment issues under owner Dejphon Chansiri.

Employees at Sheffield Wednesday are to meet with Unite The Union to discuss their rights and plan a collective grievance.

Much of the non-football staff, who received only Ā£1,000 of their September wages, have joined the union, with membership growing rapidly and more plans put in place to make their voices heard.

A formal grievance letter is expected within two weeks, and legal action may follow if unresolved. Staff express loyalty to the club but face financial hardship, with some taking loans to cope.

Additional concerns include poor working conditions, such as heating failures and past vermin issues. The union is exploring legal claims for unlawful wage deductions and seeking urgent financial support for members, especially with Christmas approaching.

Communication from Chansiri remains limited, and no progress on the clubā€™s sale has been reported.

Meanwhile, John Textor has said a deal to buy Sheffield Wednesday is being discussed: “I hate to say anything controversial to the fans, but the owner, at least in my experience with him, has been very open to two ideas. You know, I’ve had a little bit of interaction, some direct.

“I know he’s very concerned about the club. I know it may not look like it. What changes he’s had in his life that has led to this separation between, you know, his future and the club’s future. I don’t want to comment on that.

“I will say that, you know, more recently they have been pleased by their open mindedness to talk about ideas.

“I would say it’s just really complicated. You know, Wednesday is one of the clubs that we’re looking at.

“It’s not that I wouldn’t love to come in tomorrow, but they’re in a very difficult situation. There’s a lot to figure out with the owner. There is a lot to figure out with the league itself. And there’s not a lot of time to figure it out.

“I think, gosh, it probably seems like half to two thirds of that squad is under the age of 21. And, you know, by the time we can even get in and address things if we were to reach a deal with the club, um certainly I hope it’s not too late.

“You know, I think they’re fighting hard. The fans are supporting the squad, you know, if not the owner necessarily. And everybody’s just rooting for it to work out.

“But I think it’s been a bit overstated the extent to which we are involved in that situation. We’re one of I think three or four groups that are getting an appropriate amount of open mindedness from the owner.”

Former Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn gave his view on Dejphon Chansiri’s ownership of Sheffield Wednesday, saying: “If everything I read is true, then that sale should be made at the earliest possibility.

“I actually agree that, you know, there should be some form of regulation to stop somebody effectively, you know, killing a football club with, you know, over a hundred years history.

“The players, the staff, the whole community, you know, would be ruined for what reason? I do not understand that the value of that football club is lowering every single day. So what is the final gain?

“And I know what the right honourable thing to do. And most certainly the owner of Sheffield Wednesday, who I’ve never met and it’s probably wrong for me to say, but I believe if everything I read is true, then that sale should be made at the earliest possibility to save a football club with one of the sort of greatest histories in English football.

“And for the saviour of the town, the players, the staff and everybody associated with that football club. I hope that we find an owner that is honourable and treats Sheffield Wednesday with the respect it deserves.”

This is how fans reacted as the Sheffield Wednesday coach resigns, staff take action, and John Textor talks a potential takeover…

@smiffy2609: Even as a Blade there is no fun is seeing Sheffield Wednesday slowly dying and thereā€™s seems to be nothing anyone can do about it. Nothing. Sad and very disturbing.

@PriceGraham: And now the mass exodus begins. Training staff, then the last of the first team players and the staff who keep the ground open will soon either be on strike or handing in their notice. Surely he canā€™t hang on to the club for much longer.

@Joyceygold: V talented coach. Heā€™ll have a job offer in no time

@GMSheffOwls: ……and another one. All the best Andy. What a shit state were in! #Chansiriout

@HistoryPegg: This is not simply about buying #swfc the initial investment which could be putting buyers off is north Ā£150 million. Buy club, monthly budget, player recruitment, ground maintenance etc. if this doesnā€™t happen before transfer window then league 1. Which also means long term plans have additional problems. Itā€™s a mess DC need to go NOW. I’ve been saying this for months about the club/Textor. Everyone telling me he isn’t interested & doing nothing. In fact, Textor has been doing so much behind the scenes, but because of Chansiri & the state of the club, it’s proving very difficult! #swfc

@ShireeSwfc: I don’t blame The Staff going to The Union and wanting to take Legal Action over unpaid wages. #Swfc

@JoshStedman8: Itā€™s the hope that kills you isnā€™t it. #swfc

@Owen_wawaw_s6: Textor saying, chansiri does seem quite open to it and there are 3 or 4 other groups trying šŸ¤” #swfc

@OwlinSurrey: Only at #swfc do we out of desperation discover talent in our U21s & U18s, for 3 or is it 4 of them? To be in hospital with injuries and out for months šŸ¤¦šŸ»ā€ā™‚ļø The teamā€™s going to look like a nursery soon But itā€™s ok #chansiri said he wonā€™t do anything to hurt the club šŸ¤¬

@NexSportDrabble:

Textor has pretty much confirmed my worst fears about #SWFC in 30+ secs

1. Whilst the asking price is a sticking point, the biggest issue is post purchase. The amount of work & money required will be at least equal or more than the purchase price; I previously quoted Ā£80-100m across 3 years and I think that seems fair

2. Actions taken by the #EFL are putting off potential buyers, by putting the club (not owner) on a worse position

3. Squad, even in a multi club model where players can be moved around. It sounds like SWFC are already stress testing that model, and sounds like we are failing the test; a model I previously stated gives us the best possible outcome. I will continue to call for more strategic actions by the @EFL. Embargoā€™s do not work for clubs in these situations.

I urge #SWFC fans to do the same and demand:
1. Actions from the EFL that support the long term viability of SWFC
2. A clear plan of action from the #IFR as to the steps they will take to secure the future of SWFC

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