Sheffield Wednesday news: Takeover twist, Josh Windass message to new owners, Chris Wilder sympathy | OneFootball

All the latest takeover news surrounding Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday are now planning for life in League One following confirmation of their relegation from the Championship.

A 2-1 loss to Sheffield United on Sunday officially condemned the club to a place in the third tier in their third season back in the second division.

The Owls have endured a very difficult last 12 months, with financial issues plaguing the club behind the scenes.

The Yorkshire outfit have been in administration since October, despite a preferred bidder being named to take over the team in December.

Sheffield Wednesday are awaiting ratification from the EFL, with a consortium led by James Bord seeking to replace Dejphon Chansiri as owner.

Here we look at all the latest takeover news surrounding the Championship side…

Independent football regulator’s stance on Sheffield Wednesday takeover

It has been reported by the Guardian that the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has reservations regarding the proposed takeover of Sheffield Wednesday.

The IFR are also believed to be concerned about a lack of viable alternatives, should Bord’s offer to buy the club fall through.

The regulator will take control of the ratification process in May if a decision still hasn’t been made by then, which could spell trouble for the Owls, who are facing the threat of bankruptcy if this takeover collapses.

And it’s been claimed that none of the previous bidders are keen on potentially returning to the negotiating table after Bord’s offer far exceeded what the competition was willing to pay.

Josh Windass urges new owners to back Henrik Pedersen

The 2-1 loss to Sheffield United on Sunday confirmed Sheffield Wednesday’s place in League One for next season, but Josh Windass still believes that Henrik Pedersen is the man to bring the club forward.

The Wrexham forward departed Hillsborough in the summer, and spent two seasons working with Dane prior to his exit, and he suggested that the prospective new owners of the Yorkshire outfit should stick with Pedersen for life in League One.

“Obviously they’re in a difficult moment,” said Windass, via Sky Sports.

“Hopefully they can get a takeover and give Henrik the chance he deserves next year to rebuild the team and come back up.”

Henrik Pedersen priority

It has been reported by Alan Nixon that the future of Pedersen is a priority for Bord, as he lines up his plans for the Owls.

The Bord consortium are still awaiting ratification, but they are preparing for life as the club’s new owners already, and the head coach position will be one of their first key decisions.

It’s believed that it could take another six weeks before the EFL make a decision regarding the approval of the takeover.

But the former poker player has already reportedly lined up a former Scottish footballer to take on a leading role behind the scenes as part of his plans for the Championship side.

Chris Wilder offers Sheffield Wednesday relegation sympathy

Chris Wilder has offered his sympathy to Sheffield Wednesday following their relegation despite his allegiance to rivals Sheffield United.

The 58-year-old has suggested that the Owls’ team have simply been unable to compete at a Championship level this season, but that they have still given a good go despite that.

"I've never seen a Sheffield United fan celebrate a Sheffield Wednesday win,” said Wilder, via Sky Sports.

“And I've never seen a Sheffield Wednesday fan celebrate a United achievement.

“I'm sure I never got any phone calls when Tommy Watson stuck the ball in the bottom corner in the 97th minute at Wembley, and the stuff that happened to me after.

“This is the ruthless part of the job.

“You've got to look after your own club, you've got to look after yourself.

“Everyone in football realises Sheffield Wednesday were basically relegated at the start of the season, and I feel for Henrik and the players.

“A relegation is never a nice thing to deal with.

“But the team is so undercooked it's frightening and they go out every week and give it a good go as they did today.

“A bit more on it today.

“That's how it is.

“That's how we're brought up.