Dejphon Chansiri should learn key Sheffield Wednesday lesson from Plymouth Argyle’s Muslic exit | OneFootball

Plymouth’s pragmatism should be a wake-up call for Sheffield Wednesday

In the same week that Plymouth Argyle lost their head coach to Schalke 04, their swift and composed handling of the situation stood in stark contrast to the chaos 300 miles away engulfing Hillsborough.

Argyle’s decision-making, and crucially, the way they communicated it, should serve as a clear model for Dejphon Chansiri and Sheffield Wednesday.

Plymouth’s chairman, Simon Hallett, delivered a public address that was transparent, measured, and above all, mature.

Despite the frustration at Miron Muslic’s abrupt and unwelcome departure, Hallett laid out the timeline of events, acknowledged the disruption, and explained the rationale for accepting reduced compensation.

The message was simple: we are disappointed, but we are moving forward - and we’re doing so on our own terms.

That kind of clarity and leadership has been sorely lacking at Hillsborough.

Sheffield Wednesday must learn managerial lessons from Plymouth Argyle

When Muslic made it clear he would not return to the South Coast, Argyle did not waste time posturing over contract clauses or dragging negotiations into a summer-long saga.

Chairman Simon Hallett’s statement made public the key details, a reduced compensation fee was accepted, and the club moved on - with minimal disruption to planning for the new season.

Contrast that with Wednesday, where the situation with Röhl has become an expensive, prolonged and unnecessary standoff.

The German coach has made no secret of his desire to leave S6, yet remains tethered to Hillsborough by a reported £5 million release clause.

This might protect the club’s financial interests on paper, but in practice it has created a stalemate - preventing both parties from moving forward and keeping the club in limbo.

The not too distant appointment of Xisco Muñoz after Darren Moore’s departure set Wednesday back weeks in terms of preparation.

The start of the 2023/24 season - three points from the first 11 games - was the inevitable consequence. The risk of repeating that mistake is rising by the day.

If Chansiri is serious about stability, he must resist the urge to dig in. By taking a leaf out of Plymouth’s book and negotiating a lower release figure, he could provide clarity for all involved - and finally allow Wednesday to begin planning properly for a new campaign.

Lowering Danny Rohl’s exit fee could also ease financial pressures at Hillsborough

The timing of this managerial impasse is especially damaging given the club’s worsening financial position.

For the second time in three months, Wednesday players and staff have not been paid in full, with Chansiri once again citing personal cashflow issues.

According to reports, even non-football staff on lower wages have only received part of their salary. Meanwhile, the Owls risk a three-window transfer ban if outstanding payments are not settled imminently.

In this context, holding out for maximum compensation from Röhl’s departure feels both unrealistic and counterproductive.

A prolonged dispute over contractual fees serves neither the club’s operational needs nor its financial ones.

By lowering the release fee and facilitating Röhl’s exit, Chansiri could kill two birds with one stone: reduce short-term cashflow pressure and begin the urgent process of appointing a new head coach.

That would send a signal to fans, staff, and potential recruits alike that Wednesday are not sleepwalking into another crisis.

Plymouth Argyle made a tough situation manageable by being honest, decisive and forward-thinking - and Wednesday fans can only look on with envy.

It’s time for Chansiri to make a choice, and it’d be best to be one that prioritises the future of the club over personal pride and contractual brinkmanship.