Sheffield Wednesday: Big Milan Mandaric decision had Sheffield United benefits

Sheffield Wednesday’s recent off-field issues under Dejphon Chansiri have left some supporters longing for the days when former owner Milan Mandaric was in charge.

Mandaric completed an £8 million takeover of Wednesday in December 2010, and his intervention saved the club from facing potential administration and a winding-up order issued by HMRC.

The Owls were languishing in League One when Mandaric arrived, but by the time he sold the club to Chansiri for £37.5 million just over four years later, they were an established Championship club again, and much of that was down to the Serbian-American businessman.

While Chansiri has provided the financial investment that Mandaric was unable to, there are question marks over how much Wednesday have actually progressed over the past decade during his reign, and he has frequently been the subject of protests from supporters in recent years.

Mandaric will forever have a place in the hearts of the Owls fan base for rescuing the club, but it is fair to say the 86-year-old was not afraid of making controversial decisions during his time at Hillsborough, and the sacking of Gary Megson in February 2012 was one of his biggest calls.

Milan Mandaric took a huge gamble with bold Gary Megson call

After the dismissal of Alan Irvine in February 2011, Mandaric brought in former West Bromwich Albion and Bolton Wanderers manager Gary Megson, who had made 131 appearances for Wednesday across two spells at the club during his playing days.