"I have experienced football people" - Dejphon Chansiri on criticism of the boardroom structure at Sheffield Wednesday

Dejphon Chansiri believes the club has enough ‘experienced football people’ at Sheffield Wednesday and is not considering the appointment of a new CEO.
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The club have gone without a CEO since the departure of Katrien Meire in February last year, but the Thai businessman suggested he has no plans to find a replacement unless something changes.

The level of football expertise at Wednesday has been questioned in some quarters.

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“I have a very strong and experienced senior management team in place, so you could say I have a team of CEOs,” he said. “My team have many years’ experience in football, they manage their own departments throughout the club on a day to day basis.

“Each department feeds into the other in the professional way a business should operate. We have vastly experienced heads of each department, we have people who have been working at Wednesday for many years who know our club inside out. They are valuable to me and valuable to Sheffield Wednesday.”

The owner, who bought the club in January 2015, also hit back at suggestions that the club are inexperienced at boardroom level.

“My senior management team brings a lot to our club and I am there to support when necessary,” he told Yorkshire Live.

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“My people tell me that it is still said that I have no football professionals around me. Do you really think I would own a football club for five years, especially a club the size of Wednesday, and have no experienced football people in my team?

Owls Chairman Dejphon ChansiriOwls Chairman Dejphon Chansiri
Owls Chairman Dejphon Chansiri

“So I would say It also depends on what your definition is of a CEO. I have had times with a CEO and without a CEO and on the overall balance, today I am comfortable with the current organisational structure. This situation may change as the football business is like any other that constantly evolves.

“I may bring someone in the future but if we do, it has to be the right person who can enhance the club, drive revenues and help the business side to build strong foundations.”

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