Paul Cook discusses Sheffield Wednesday for first time since Dejphon Chansiri's claim he is 'unprofessional'
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The 53-year-old has been the choice of many supporters to take on the role since Tony Pulis’ departure over a month ago.
But any hopes of him coming in look dead in the water after the Owls owner’s extraordinary outburst, which followed reports Cook had been offered the job until the end of the season.
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Hide AdThe Star understands that former Wednesday advisor Erik Alonso spoke to Cook about the job. Alonso launched a public resignation from the club in the hours after their defeat to Coventry last week.
On Cook’s media activity in recent weeks, Chansiri said: “I think the way he has done things is unprofessional.
“How can I trust and believe someone who is unprofessional and then call them to interview? If you want me to interview, you can do it the correct way but that does not mean to say it outside.”
In one interview with a national radio station, Cook had suggested he had reservations over the managerial control afforded to Wednesday bosses.
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Hide Ad“If they think like that, they should come out and talk to me face to face,” Chansiri fired back to Yorkshire Live. “It is not fair to me when all coaches have more time to talk to the media. They can say whatever they like. I don't have too much time to talk to the media. It is unprofessional and not fair.”
Speaking publicly about Wednesday for the first time since the quotes were published, Cook told Sky Sports News he was still on the hunt for a new job and praised the efforts of Owls caretaker boss Neil Thompson, who has won three of his four league matches in charge.
It is understood that Cook entered negotiations with Cardiff in the days after Neil Harris’ sacking but that he was put off by the length of contract. Mick McCarthy has since been appointed.
The Wednesday managerial saga, of course, remains unsolved.
Speaking as a guest on Sky’s coverage of transfer deadline day, Cook said: “It’s a difficult question when you’re an out-of-work manager because you have to be respectful to people that are in work and talk about jobs that are available.
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Hide Ad“I think on both of those jobs and those situations, I would have had contact from the clubs. Where that contact went to obviously wasn’t where I would have liked it to go to.
“Certainly in Cardiff’s position, appointing Mick McCarthy until the end of the season as they’ve done in my opinion is a very strong decision, a very safe pair of hands.
“Sheffield Wednesday as we speak have got a caretaker manager in, Neil Thompson, who is also doing an outstanding job as we speak.
“I’m ready to go back to work now, I have been probably two days after I left Wigan, these days can be tough. Normally you’re in the middle of it, and now I’m on here speaking about it.”