Exclusive: Mike Ashley backed to strike Sheffield Wednesday takeover from Dejphon Chansiri | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has told FLW his verdict on Mike Ashley's potential takeover of Sheffield Wednesday

Lee Hendrie believes that a takeover of Sheffield Wednesday by Mike Ashley would be really good for the club.

It was reported earlier this week by Alan Biggs that the former Newcastle United owner is among the names being linked with the purchase of the Owls.

The founder of Frasers Group, who owns several businesses including Sports Direct and House of Fraser, has previous experience in football ownership through the Magpies, as well as Scottish giants Rangers.

Sheffield Wednesday supporters are keen to see the current owner Dejphon Chansiri sell his stake in the Yorkshire outfit due to his mismanagement of the team’s finances.

The Owls have failed to pay players and staff on time on multiple occasions this month, which has led to various people leaving, including stars like Josh Windass, as well as well-regarded head coach Danny Rohl.

Mike Ashley backed to do well as Sheffield Wednesday owner

Hendrie believes that a resolution to Sheffield Wednesday’s situation needs to be arrived at sooner rather than later, and that Ashley could be the ideal man to take over.

He’s highlighted the 61-year-old’s previous experience, as well as his general business acumen, as why he could be a success.

“I think this would be a real good situation if it’s the case that Ashley can,” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

“And obviously he’s been linked with Sheffield Wednesday, it needs to be resolved.

“I think Mike Ashley knows the inside and out of businesses and football clubs, knowing he’s had that experience of being around that.

“So I think that’d be really good for Sheffield Wednesday.

“It does need to get resolved though, sooner rather than later.”

Sheffield Wednesday have endured a difficult start to the season under Henrik Pedersen, who replaced Rohl as manager in the summer.

Off-field issues have impacted the side, who have earned just six points from their opening nine fixtures in the Championship.

The Owls are 23rd in the table, but there is still only one point between them and safety, and they are also still ahead of bitter rivals Sheffield United.

Next up for Pedersen’s side is a clash against Charlton Athletic at the Valley on 18 October in a 3pm kick-off.

Mike Ashley would be an upgrade on Dejphon Chansiri

Ashley became quite an unpopular figure at Newcastle by the end of his tenure as owner, but he ultimately wasn’t anywhere near as bad as Chansiri’s been.

He ran the Tyneside outfit in a sustainable manner, and ensured they were a Premier League team for most of that time.

Even if a couple of relegations to the Championship were below most supporters’ expectations, the club came straight back up on both occasions.

Meanwhile, the long-term health of Sheffield Wednesday is at risk the longer Chansiri remains in charge.

Ashley has the potential to see the untapped potential at Hillsborough, and he could restore them to a much stronger financial position than a lot of prospective owners.