Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl said he does not think there is an issue between him and chairman Dejphon Chansiri after the club’s owner told a fans’ forum the two had not spoken about transfer targets this month.
Chansiri said on Wednesday that the two had not talked since December and that he considered it the German’s responsibility to contact him.
The Owls, who have not signed anyone since the January transfer window opened, are 10th in the Championship, four points off the play-off places.
“We have our process in the club. In early January we had a meeting with the head of recruitment [Kevin Beadell] and [advisor] Amadeu Paixao. It’s clear from my side but if it isn’t then I’m a little surprised, but it’s no problem,” Rohl told BBC Radio Sheffield.
“We should fix it soon and make a meeting and go forward.
“Communication is the best thing and we have the opportunity to talk face to face.
“It’s important that we listen to each other and try to understand one another. There should be no issue why we can’t do this.”
He added: “If it’s the chairman’s opinion that we should talk then he is the boss.
“Communication is everything in life. I have some principles off the pitch and one of them is about transparent communication, I try to be honest. I think if there is a problem then there should also be a solution.”
Rohl took over at Hillsborough in October 2023 and guided them to Championship safety last season after they had made their worst ever start to a league campaign.
He signed a contract extension in the summer and has called for the club to come together as they look to end a 25-year wait for Premier League football.
“I think the most important thing since I was here was the togetherness of the different parts,” the 35-year-old said.
“The togetherness between the team and the fans is really special. The togetherness between me and the fans is outstanding and it is something I didn’t expect so soon. It’s great and gives me a lot of energy and hope that I am doing well.”
He added: “My message to the fans is that we should carry on, we should stay together and try to be positive. The fans should dream. They can dream for more. I will do everything that maybe the dream comes true even though we know it will be a tough period now with 20 games.”
Atmosphere is tense – Bernard
Owls defender Di’Shon Bernard admitted that the players have picked up on the tension around the club.
He said Rohl has done a “terrific job” since replacing Xisco Munoz.
“I’d be lying if I said we hadn’t heard about it because we do,” Bernard told BBC Radio Sheffield after being asked about what Chansiri had said.
“It’s a tricky thing to navigate, I’m not going to bite the hand that feeds me because I can’t complain about what the owner has done for me personally.
“I do feel like it’s quite tense right now and it’s weird for me to say because I feel like last year when we were last it wasn’t this tense. I feel like now we should be more happy and joyful but I get everyone’s frustrations.
“Hopefully, there can be solutions on both sides in the future.”
Recall of Charles ‘really sad’
During the course of the five-hour fans’ forum on Wednesday, Chansiri revealed that Southampton loanee Shea Charles would be staying until the end of the season, before later announcing he had been recalled.
Bernard said the former Manchester City man had been the club’s “first, second and third best player this season” and was “irreplaceable”.
The 21-year-old Northern Ireland international is now set to play his final game for the Owls in Sunday’s Yorkshire derby at promotion-chasing Leeds United.
“I found out in the morning that Shea had been recalled. I must say I am really sad but this is football. I hoped it would not be the case,” Rohl, who previously worked as an assistant at Bayern Munich and with the German national team, said.
“I had a conversation with Shea and I really highly rate him. I see so much in him, how he developed and how he improved. I think he is a big, big player for us.
“I saw in the past some really good players at a high level and in his age, how he has developed in such a short period, and how hard he worked with his game understanding… I am convinced he will have a great career at a top, top division.
“Maybe there’s a small chance to get him back, I don’t know at the moment. What I can imagine is it will be very tough.
“Let’s see what we can do. I must say again, he is an outstanding player and he gives us something special.”
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