Sheffield Wednesday Chaos: Embargoes, Unpaid Wages & A Manager Exit – What on Earth is Going On at Hillsborough?

With just 10 days to go until the new Championship season kicks off, it’s not exactly peace and harmony at Sheffield Wednesday. In fact, it’s been the footballing equivalent of a soap opera — minus the theme tune.

The departure of manager Danny Röhl and the sudden closure of the North Stand are just the latest chapters in what’s been a spectacularly messy summer at Hillsborough. From unpaid wages to financial embargoes, to the local MP accusing the owner of “holding the club hostage”, some fans are wondering: Is this rock bottom?

Let’s break it down…

Cashflow Crisis: How Did It Come to This?

Under the ownership of Dejphon Chansiri, Wednesday’s financial issues have been bubbling for a while — but this summer, the lid flew off.

It started with delayed tax payments to HMRC in 2023 and 2024. Then came missed wage payments to players, coaches, and staff in May and June. July’s wages? They’re due on Thursday… and people aren’t exactly holding their breath.

The club is now under a multi-layered EFL embargo:

❌ No paid transfers
❌ No loans involving fees
❌ No free agents
❌ No registrations of any kind

Basically: if it moves and kicks a ball, they can’t sign it.

No Answers, No Plan, No Manager

Despite the chaos, Chansiri has offered no official explanation, and there’s no clear roadmap out of this mess. The silence from the top has only fuelled fan frustration and deepened the sense of crisis.

Now, with Röhl walking away and one of the stadium’s stands closed, the club feels stuck in limbo — unable to recruit, rebuild, or reassure.

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) boss Maheta Molango called the situation “shocking” and “not tolerable”, while Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts has gone a step further — calling for Chansiri to sell the club outright.

“He must accept that he needs to sell Wednesday to prevent the complete collapse of the club,” Betts said. “We as fans deserve better.”

Is There a Way Out?

At present, there’s no obvious solution under Chansiri’s ownership. And with Championship football looming, the Owls risk flying into a season unprepared, undermanned, and under siege — financially and emotionally.

For now, fans wait. And worry.

Matchday Fever