Exclusive: Don Goodman predicts Sheffield Wednesday "pain" amid Danny Rohl situation | OneFootball

Don Goodman has issued a worrying prediction about Sheffield Wednesday as the uncertainty over Danny Rohl's future drags on.

Pundit Don Goodman believes the uncertainty over manager Danny Rohl's future could have a damaging impact on Sheffield Wednesday if it is allowed to continue for much longer.

Wednesday emerged as surprise play-off contenders after a strong start to the season, but while their promotion push collapsed in the second half of the campaign amid a host of off-field issues, they did still record a respectable 12th-placed finish.

However, problems between Rohl and owner Dejphon Chansiri started in December after he was denied a move to Southampton, and the pair subsequently became embroiled in a bitter public dispute, which was only resolved towards the end of the January transfer window.

The Saints were said to have reignited their interest in Rohl this summer after parting company with Ivan Juric following their relegation from the Premier League, but they have instead appointed Will Still as their new manager, and while the German was also linked with the likes of Leicester City, Fulham, Crystal Palace and RB Leipzig, he seems highly unlikely to land any of those jobs.

According to journalist Rob Staton, Rohl recently held "positive talks" with Werder Bremen, who had a "legitimate interest" in the 36-year-old, but his "excessive and prohibitive" compensation figure, which is believed to be as high as £5 million, proved to be a stumbling block, leaving him in an increasingly awkward position at Hillsborough.

Don Goodman issues concerning Sheffield Wednesday prediction

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Goodman admitted that Wednesday are the ones likely to suffer the most from the ongoing uncertainty around Rohl's future, and he warned the Owls that they risk falling behind their Championship rivals if the saga drags on for too long.

"This is the kind of time of year when plans are at a massively advanced stage for next season," Goodman said.

"But while this Danny Rohl saga rumbles on, it is difficult to see what kind of planning can take place.

"Clearly, Sheffield Wednesday is not a club he would like to remain at under the current ownership, but the fact that nothing appears to be happening is a difficult situation for Danny Rohl, there's no doubt about that.

"Maybe it's the buyout clause that is the problem, but ultimately, the entity that it will cause the most pain for is Sheffield Wednesday.

"The new manager, if there is going to be a new manager, should be a long way down the road of planning pre-season and recruitment, but obviously, that is probably not the case."

Sheffield Wednesday will fear Darren Moore repeat amid Danny Rohl frustration

As Goodman says, it is clear to see that Rohl is keen to leave Hillsborough, and he has burned his bridges with Wednesday supporters after conducting a recent interview in which he openly discussed his possible next move, with many feeling that such comments are inappropriate while he is still under contract.

However, with Rohl's exit options seemingly running out, there is no imminent sign of a resolution, and the Owls are in danger of going into the next season incredibly underprepared, just as they did after winning promotion to the Championship in 2023, when Darren Moore left the club in-mid June and Xisco Munoz was not appointed as his replacement until early July.

After much of their transfer business was done in the final weeks of the window, Wednesday picked up just three points from their first 11 games of the 2023-24 season, and while Rohl was able to save them from relegation on that occasion, they will not be as lucky if a similar situation unfolds this time.

Amid the uncertainty over Rohl's future, it was also confirmed on Friday that there has been another delay in the payment of wages at the club, and after the same issue occurred in March, the Owls could be at risk of being hit with a three-window transfer ban, which would surely have a big impact on their hunt for a new manager.