Exclusive: Don Goodman reacts to 'difficult' Sheffield Wednesday takeover decision involving Mike Ashley | OneFootball

Don Goodman has spoken to FLW after it was revealed that Mike Ashley is in the final three candidates to take over at Hillsborough.

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes Sheffield Wednesday are in a “conundrum” over whether to let Mike Ashley take over at Hillsborough after it was revealed the former Newcastle United owner is one of the three final runners.

The Owls are yet to find a buyer since Dejphon Chansiri placed the club into administration towards the end of October, but it was outlined that the process could take several months.

On the pitch, it’s been bleak for the Yorkshire outfit, who suffered a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Sheffield United in the Steel City derby last weekend to leave supporters resigned to almost certain relegation to the third-tier.

Wednesday are now 18 points from safety with 30 games remaining of the Championship season, so it’s imperative that the club have stability off the pitch to attack League One in the following campaign.

There’s been many twists and turns in a Sheffield Wednesday takeover throughout this last month, with former Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor and US billionaire John McEvoy linked in recent weeks, while an unnamed Middle Eastern group has ruled itself out of the race.

And now a report from The I has outlined there are three people in the running to takeover Hillsborough, with former Newcastle United chief Mike Ashley among those.

Ashley obviously had a turbulent time running proceedings at St James' Park for 14 years, which included two relegations, a lack of investment and a fracturing relationship between supporters.

His time on Tyneside has undoubtedly got many Wednesday supporters concerned that their club could suffer with Ashley at the helm so soon after getting away from the clutches of Chansiri.

With this in mind, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has spoken to FLW about his thoughts on a potential Ashley takeover at Hillsborough, and whether it is the right thing for the club.

Don Goodman relays Sheffield Wednesday fears over Mike Ashley takeover but admits the Owls have “huge potential”

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has admitted Mike Ashley may not be the most popular choice at Sheffield Wednesday due to his past connections at Newcastle United, but believes this project has “huge potential” if he is willing to invest.

Goodman said: “The Mike Ashley conundrum is a difficult one, isn’t it really? Because if you ask any Newcastle fans, they would say to Sheffield Wednesday fans ‘don’t touch him with a bargepole’.

“They suffered a couple of relegations to the Championship. In the end, there was a distinct lack of investment into the playing side of things and Newcastle pretty much were floundering when he sold up to the Saudis, so it’s a difficult one.

“Would Mike Ashley take over Sheffield Wednesday, invest, get them through the leagues, likely starting from League One to the Championship, Championship to the Premier League and keep investing? Well, only Mike Ashley knows.

“What I do know is it’s a huge football club with huge potential for somebody, not dissimilar to the Americans that have taken over Birmingham City and you look at what they’re doing there on and off the pitch, and if Sheffield Wednesday could get something similar to that, whether that be through Mike Ashley or not, that’s what they would crave.”

Mike Ashley could seize opportunity to grow Sheffield Wednesday

It’s understandable that Sheffield Wednesday supporters are sceptical about a takeover of the club by Mike Ashley, particularly when his last venture into football with Newcastle United was filled with turmoil.

The big question is whether he’s learned from it, and will he actually provide the investment that is needed this time around to get the Owls back to being English powerhouses in the coming years.

Ashley obviously sees an opportunity with Sheffield Wednesday to do this, otherwise it would be pointless for him to be in the running. The Owls are one of the biggest clubs in the English game and will be very much below market value to take control of, so it's an appealing project to take on.

While the Owls are currently embroiled in a lot of negativity and staring down the barrel of relegation, there is every chance a passionate and caring investor can turn things around in a short space of time, and in turn make a healthy profit on any original investment.

The fact Ashley is still involved in the process this far down the line highlights his commitment to buying the club and seeing it thrive. While he wasn’t a popular figure at St James' Park, there has to be hope that he can show a different side and bring some much-needed stability back to Hillsborough.