Dejphon Chansiri: The Controversial Chairman of Sheffield Wednesday
Dejphon Chansiri is a Thai businessman best known for his ownership of the English football club Sheffield Wednesday. Since taking control of the club in January 2015, he has been one of the most discussed figures in modern English football. His reign has been marked by high ambition, heavy investment, moments of hope, but also financial controversy, strained fan relations, and repeated clashes with football authorities.
Born on 3 June 1968 in Bangkok, Thailand, Chansiri comes from a wealthy family with close ties to the seafood industry. Despite his family’s strong business roots, his global recognition comes primarily from football. This article provides an in-depth look at his background, business connections, and his stormy journey as chairman of Sheffield Wednesday.
Early Life and Background Of Dejphon Chansiri
Birth and Family
Dejphon Chansiri was born in Bangkok, Thailand. He belongs to the influential Chansiri family, a name strongly associated with the Thai Union Group, one of the largest seafood producers in the world and a leader in canned tuna exports.
Chansiri’s upbringing in a wealthy business household shaped his future. While he maintains a relatively private life, some sources claim that he has siblings named Thiraphong Chansiri and Disaphol Chansiri. His family’s corporate network allowed him access to significant financial resources, which later played a major role in his football venture.
Personal Life
Unlike many football owners who actively seek publicity, Dejphon Chansiri remains relatively reserved about his personal affairs. Publicly available information indicates he is married to Tipparut Chansiri. Beyond this, little detail has been disclosed about his private lifestyle, reinforcing his image as a businessman who prefers to be known through his work rather than his personal profile.
Business Interests and Wealth
Thai Union Group Connection
The Chansiri family is associated with the Thai Union Group, a multinational corporation that supplies seafood products worldwide. It is among the top producers of canned tuna, exporting globally under brands such as John West and Chicken of the Sea.
While it is often assumed that Dejphon Chansiri directly manages parts of this empire, it is more accurate to state that his wealth and resources are derived from the broader Chansiri family network. His investments have extended into construction, property, and smaller business ventures both in Thailand and abroad.
Net Worth and Resources
As of recent years, estimates have suggested that the Chansiri family is worth several hundred million dollars. Forbes previously valued the family fortune at over $500 million, largely tied to their seafood operations. Chansiri’s ability to inject millions of pounds into Sheffield Wednesday reflects the financial power at his disposal.
Ownership of Sheffield Wednesday
The Takeover
In January 2015, Dejphon Chansiri completed the acquisition of Sheffield Wednesday from Milan Mandarić. The deal was reportedly worth around £37.5 million. Upon arrival, he set bold targets, promising to bring the club back to the Premier League by 2017.
Chansiri wasted little time in demonstrating ambition. Substantial funds were invested into player transfers, managerial appointments, and operational changes. In the 2015–16 season, Sheffield Wednesday came close to achieving his promise, reaching the Championship play-off final, where they were narrowly beaten by Hull City.
Ambition and Investment
Chansiri’s vision was to restore Sheffield Wednesday to their former glory as a Premier League side. He invested heavily in transfers, managerial changes, and club infrastructure. His willingness to fund the club initially won him support among fans who longed for a return to the top flight.
However, while ambition was clear, critics argued that spending lacked strategic planning. Instead of long-term stability, much of the investment was seen as short-term fixes designed to chase immediate promotion.
Financial Struggles and Controversies
Wage Delays and Cash Flow Issues
From 2018 onwards, the financial challenges of Chansiri’s ownership became increasingly visible. There were repeated incidents of delayed wage payments to players and staff. On some occasions, the club admitted to struggling with cash flow, leading to unrest among employees and supporters alike.
EFL Charges and Embargoes
Sheffield Wednesday under Chansiri faced scrutiny from the English Football League (EFL). The club was penalised for financial rule breaches, including improper handling of accounts linked to the sale of Hillsborough Stadium. These breaches resulted in points deductions, restrictions on player registration, and repeated transfer embargoes.
In 2023, the situation escalated when unpaid tax bills led to further embargoes. At one point, Chansiri controversially called on supporters to contribute £2 million to help settle debts and cover wages. While he later claimed to have cleared the debts himself, the incident damaged his reputation among fans.
Mounting Losses
Financial reports revealed that Sheffield Wednesday accumulated significant losses under Chansiri’s ownership. Estimates suggested that more than £150 million had been lost, with the chairman personally injecting large sums to keep the club afloat. Reports indicated that at times, he was paying several million pounds per month to cover operating costs.
Relationship with Supporters
Early Optimism
At the beginning of his tenure, Chansiri enjoyed goodwill from the fanbase. His promises of Premier League football and his apparent willingness to spend money created excitement. The play-off final appearance in 2016 seemed to justify this optimism.
Growing Frustration
Over time, however, relations soured. Fans criticised his lack of transparency, inconsistent decision-making, and failure to deliver sustainable success. Supporters’ groups and trusts increasingly demanded accountability, accusing him of mismanagement.
Public statements by Chansiri often drew criticism for being defensive or dismissive, further alienating large sections of the fanbase. Protests outside Hillsborough became common, with many calling for him to sell the club.
Recent Developments
2023–2025 Challenges
The years following the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the club’s financial woes. In 2023, Sheffield Wednesday found themselves once again under embargo due to unpaid taxes. Chansiri’s controversial request for fan contributions deepened the distrust between owner and supporters.
In 2025, further charges were issued by the EFL for failing to meet financial obligations. There were growing calls from politicians, local leaders, and the wider football community for Chansiri to consider selling the club. Media reports suggested that he had already lost tens of millions of pounds during his ownership, with little sign of recovery.
Calls for Change
Commentators and former football executives have openly questioned whether Chansiri has the capacity to lead the club into a sustainable future. Some have speculated that the newly established Independent Football Regulator in the UK could eventually force owners like Chansiri to step down if they fail financial tests.
Legacy and Evaluation
Strengths of His Ownership
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Ambitious vision of returning Sheffield Wednesday to the Premier League.
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Willingness to invest heavily, particularly in the early years.
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Personal financial injections prevented the club from immediate collapse on multiple occasions.
Weaknesses and Criticisms
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Poor long-term planning and lack of sustainable structure.
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Repeated financial crises, unpaid wages, and points deductions.
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Strained relationship with fans, marked by mistrust and public protests.
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Overspending without achieving the promised return to the top flight.
Conclusion
Dejphon Chansiri’s decade-long reign at Sheffield Wednesday is one of contrasts. On the one hand, he provided ambition, financial backing, and a dream of Premier League football. On the other, his stewardship has been marred by financial mismanagement, controversy, and fractured relations with fans.
Born into wealth in Thailand, Chansiri remains a powerful businessman, but his tenure as a football club chairman highlights the risks of football ownership without sustainable planning. For Sheffield Wednesday supporters, his era will likely be remembered as one of unfulfilled promises, financial strain, and growing frustration.
The story of Dejphon Chansiri serves as a cautionary tale for English football: money alone does not guarantee success, and without clear strategy and trust, even historic clubs can be left struggling both on and off the pitch.
