What AI thinks would happen if Mike Ashley took over Sheffield Wednesday from Dejphon Chansiri | OneFootball

Ashley's previous reign at St James' Park was mixed to say the least, but could he be the man to transform Wednesday's fortunes?

Sheffield Wednesday's current fortunes are well-documented, with many supporters of the Owls and rival clubs tipping the club for relegation to League One.

Such claims are largely down to one reason as well, which is the continued controversial ownership of Dejphon Chansiri at Hillsborough.

The Thai-based businessman took control of Wednesday just over a decade ago, with the club looking to continue an upwardly mobile trajectory which saw them promoted from League One in 2011/12, and after two-and-a-half seasons of mid-table finishes, the South Yorkshire side could look to end a lengthy hiatus outside the Premier League which has stood since the year 2000.

After two unsuccessful play-off campaigns in 2016 and 2017, Chansiri's decision-making has ultimately led to a major plight involving what is, arguably, the current greatest 'sleeping giant' in English football.

At present, Wednesday find themselves 23rd in the Championship, with relegation feeling inevitable due to an expected points deduction, six transfer and registration embargoes and multiple instances of delayed wage payments, all whilst Chansiri reportedly holds out for between £70m and £100m to relinquish control.

However, whilst supporters continue to arrange protests - which include a full boycott of an upcoming S6 clash with Middlesbrough - against Chansiri, an array of potential investors have been named.

Along with ex-Crystal Palace and Lyon stakeholder John Textor, former Newcastle United custodian, Mike Ashley, has now emerged as a potential candidate according to local reporter, Alan Biggs.

Ashley himself hasn't been immune to controversy, with the Magpies enduring an extremely chaotic 14-year period under the Londoner's ownership after a £134m takeover in May 2007, one which was ended by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund's £300m acquisition four years ago.

With that being said, FLW asked AI to map out a realistic turn of events should Ashley take over at Hillsborough from Chansiri.

With Chansiri already overseeing one fall from grace in just four years between 2017 and a relegation to League One in 2021 - on top of the club's current predicament - it's no surprise that AI's first claim is that the Owls would become much more financially stable.

Therefore, it is clear that Ashley will have learned from his prior mishaps, failing to realise that Newcastle were over £100m in debt after taking over from Freddy Shepherd and Sir John Hall.

It has also claimed that, much like when Newcastle's 2021 takeover was green-lighted, supporters will feel a huge weight lifted that Chansiri will have exited Hillsborough. However, as time progresses, they may feel let down by Ashley's ambition, which wasn't always the greatest on Tyneside - with the highest-paid transfer of his tenure being the £40m parted with for Joelinton in 2019 under the management of ex-Wednesday boss, Steve Bruce.

AI believes Ashley will be much more switched on than Chansiri, but chances of immediately transforming the club into a dominant Championship force would remain low, with steady progression more likely to be the order of the day.

As such, it also predicts that, over a hypothetical five-year period, the Owls are likely to push for a play-off place without returning to the top-flight, whilst enjoying the occasional lengthy run in the FA Cup or EFL Cup - the last of which came in 2023 as they reached the fourth round as a League One side after shocking Newcastle at Hillsborough.

At present, there's no doubt that Wednesdayites would take a period of steady progression from their current situation, especially as a raft of senior and high-quality players would need to be added to what is a threadbare squad currently at Henrik Pedersen's disposal.

That being said, there are several young prospects who could blossom into first-team regulars, with the currently sidelined Pierce Charles, Ernie Weaver and Gui Siqueira falling into said category alongside George Brown.

Therefore, the spine of a new-look side - if all four players were to be retained - is there in order to help make a long-term success out of things.

Whether Ashley is the man who takes over remains to be seen. Whoever takes over, though, will certainly receive the backing of a passionate fanbase in order to turn the club's fortunes around.