Why Sheffield Wednesday need to learn from the past in order to grasp the future
Alan Biggs looks back on a turbulent period in the Owls’ history through the lens of a new book....
It’s as important to learn from the past as it is to plan for the future.
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Two things that Sheffield Wednesday’s previous owner failed to do.Two things that the Owls new owners conspicuously ARE doing.
And a very good reason why Dom Howson’s “Carlos had a dream” is relevant to these thankfully changing times, despite the understandable wish of many fans never to hear the name Dejphon Chansiri ever again.
From the balance within the book’s pages, reflecting the Thai businessman’s tearaway start to an ill-fated mission, supporters can understand more fully why he ultimately failed so spectacularly.
It’s a simple lesson, crystallised in one of Chansiri’s own opening statements, saying it was “imperative” that “I surround myself with football industry professionals with defined expertise.”
This proved the great contradiction of a complex character.
He had exactly those sort of people, either inherited or recruited, but ultimately listened only to himself.
Whereas the Storch group are putting relevant experts in place and giving them their head, unlike Chansiri who, as Howson notes, was “hands on to the point of fixation.”
Tellingly, former player and coach Lee Bullen said in the book: “I think he reached a point where nobody could advise him. He was so stubborn.”
Sam Hutchinson went further: “It ended up being a dictatorship where he had to sign off washing powder and everything.”
In fairness, Hutchinson and many other players posted gratitude for the way they were treated personally. Including one of the biggest stars Fernando Forestieri, though he said pointedly: “If the club had sold me and other players then we wouldn’t talk about transfer embargoes…”
What is impossible to deny is that Chansiri meant well, besides pouring many millions into the club.
He was contradictory, sometimes friendly and engaging, often cantankerous, always eccentric.
In common with other journalists, I leaned towards liking him - at the outset.
That was before even the mildest criticism, meant to be constructive, was taken as disrespectful and led to confrontation.
I know I got under his skin, initially without meaning to.
It was reported back then that the chairman would splutter: “Who does he think he is?!”
Must add, though, that central figure Carlos Carvalhal came to know Chansiri as a strong and principled character who - endearingly but naively - regarded players as “sons” and refused to sell them against the inspirational manager’s advice.
All players spoke warmly of the charismatic Carlos while former defender Tom Lees credited Chansiri with “genuinely good intentions.”
It’s a common theme along with acceptance of cultural difficulties.
There are examples of family-loving Chansiri’s support, his kindness on occasions and his tireless determination.
If only he had spread the load. If only he had listened to Carvalhal about the importance of selling players as well as buying them.
His and everyone’s loss in the end.
But hopefully the harshest possible lesson is to Wednesday’s longer term gain.
The book itself is exhaustively researched, highly revealing and a cracking read.
* “Carlos had a dream.” Dom Howson. Vertical Editions. £16.99