Sheffield Wednesday takeover news: Hillsborough’s future under James Bord, cultural shift away from Dejphon Chansiri | OneFootball

All of the latest takeover news from the blue side of Sheffield

Sheffield Wednesday’s protracted takeover saga continues to define the club’s present, and shape its immediate future.

With the Owls in administration for more than 110 days, supporters remain trapped in a familiar state of uncertainty.

Since James Bord and his consortium were confirmed as preferred bidders on Christmas Eve, progress has been steady but far from swift, with regulatory complexity, governance reform and long-standing structural neglect all colliding in one of English football’s most politically and administratively sensitive ownership transitions.

On-pitch matters are arguably even bleaker. The Owls are currently on their longest streak of consecutive league defeats in their history and yet to pick up a single point - or score a goal - in 2026. Their relegation is expected to be confirmed this month.

The January transfer window compounded the damage rather than alleviating it, with further departures weakening an already fragile squad.

Promising young striker Bailey Cadamarteri joined Wrexham, reliable right-back Yan Valery moved to Young Boys, and the departure of captain Barry Bannan brought an end to a defining 10-year spell in South Yorkshire.

Sporting decline and institutional uncertainty are - for now - moving in parallel.

According to The Star, Wednesday’s prospective new owners have no immediate plans for large-scale investment in Hillsborough or the club’s training ground infrastructure.

While there is an agreement to invest in facilities as part of the takeover package, sources suggest these improvements are not viewed as an early priority, with initial financial focus expected to fall on strengthening the first-team squad.

This approach reflects a pragmatic assessment of urgency. Hillsborough’s long-term condition remains a serious concern - exacerbated by years of underinvestment and highlighted starkly when Sheffield City Council temporarily condemned the North Stand over the summer due to structural degradation.

Yet transformative redevelopment would require capital on a scale unlikely to be viable in the short term for any new Owls ownership group.

Instead, the strategy appears evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

This may feel underwhelming for Wednesdayites given Hillsborough’s visible decline, but it also signals an acknowledgement that competitive survival and squad rebuilding are likely to define the early phase of any new regime.

James Bord’s consortium plan major staffing overhaul at Sheffield Wednesday

The Star has also revealed that the Bord consortium has lined up what it describes as a group of impressive and experienced football executives to run the club - appointments that would “even impress sceptics”.

This represents a sharp cultural shift from the Chansiri era, during which Wednesday frequently operated with a skeletal staffing structure, relying on minimal operational capacity across departments.

Chronic understaffing became synonymous with institutional fragility, leaving the club structurally exposed at multiple levels.

The promise of a professionally staffed executive structure suggests a more modern ownership model.

For a club emerging from administration, this is arguably more significant than any single signing or transfer pledge.

Sustainable recovery requires systems, not just spending - and qualified leadership is the foundation of that stability.

Independent Football Regulator addresses Sheffield Wednesday takeover process

The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has confirmed it is already engaging with representatives of the preferred bidder and club administrators.

Following the Football Governance Act becoming law in July, the regulator is now in the process of being formally established, with oversight powers due to come into effect later this year.

In a statement, the IFR said: “We are engaging with representatives of the preferred bidder and the administrators, seeking further clarity in relation to their intention to purchase Sheffield Wednesday Football Club.”

It added that while the bidders must currently satisfy the EFL’s ownership test, any delay beyond May would place them under the IFR’s jurisdiction.

Crucially, the regulator acknowledged the risk of prolonged instability: “The last thing Sheffield Wednesday fans want is a long, drawn-out process which further destabilises the Club.”

This marks a significant shift in the power landscape of English football ownership. Wednesday’s takeover is one of the first major tests of the post-Governance Act framework - where ownership transitions are regulated public-interest processes.

Sources say Sheffield Wednesday takeover deal ‘on the right track’ despite significant delays

Despite the delays, sources close to the process have told The Star there is confidence that the takeover remains “on the right track”. However, there is no expectation of imminent completion.

The ratification process with the EFL is understood to be unusually complex, reflecting the consortium’s links to gambling, cryptocurrency, and overseas business interests.

These factors have significantly extended due diligence requirements, making the approval process more intricate than a conventional domestic acquisition.