What Djeidi Gassama has said about new Rangers boss Danny Rohl
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have endured months of sheer disillusionment, anger, and heartbreak, as the club’s ongoing crisis under deeply unpopular owner Dejphon Chansiri shows little sign of easing. What was once a proud and ambitious Championship side has descended into turmoil, burdened by financial mismanagement, regulatory sanctions, and the loss of key personnel both on and off the pitch.
The situation at Hillsborough has become increasingly dire. The Owls are currently under multiple EFL-imposed transfer embargoes, a direct consequence of Chansiri’s repeated failure to meet the club’s wage obligations. Incredibly, staff and players have not been paid on time in five of the last seven months, an unacceptable situation for any professional football club, let alone one of Wednesday’s stature.
After eleven matches in the Championship this season, the club sits rock-bottom of the table, fielding a thin and depleted squad that has been stripped of depth and quality. Restricted to signing only two loan players — Harry Amass and Ethan Horvath — the summer window was nothing short of disastrous. Now, Wednesday are staring down the barrel of yet another financial blow, as HMRC prepares a winding-up order over unpaid debts reportedly close to £1 million.
Collapse of a Once-Stable Project
Perhaps the hardest blow for fans to stomach is the complete dismantling of the competitive, likeable side carefully built by former head coach Danny Rohl. The young German tactician became a cult hero at Hillsborough, famously pulling off the “Great Escape” to keep the Owls in the Championship in 2023/24, before steering them to an impressive 12th-placed finish last season.
But amid the chaos behind the scenes, Rohl’s patience finally ran out. The ongoing financial uncertainty, lack of support, and Chansiri’s erratic decision-making left him with no choice but to walk away in the summer. His departure marked the end of a brief yet hopeful era at Hillsborough.
Rohl’s exit triggered an exodus of talent. Key players jumped ship as the situation deteriorated, among them Djeidi Gassama, the talented winger who netted seven goals last season. Gassama’s £2.2 million move to Rangers was met with fury among Wednesday supporters — not only because of the paltry fee, but also because it symbolized the club’s loss of ambition and direction.
Now, in a twist that feels like salt rubbed into fresh wounds, Rohl has resurfaced in the dugout at Ibrox, reuniting with Gassama as the new manager of Rangers following the dismissal of Russell Martin.
Gassama’s Touching Tribute to Rohl
Speaking to Rangers’ official website, Gassama offered heartfelt praise for his former boss, describing Rohl as a “father figure” who transformed both his game and his mindset.
“It was good. He is like a father to me. He helped me a lot,” Gassama said. “When I was at Sheffield Wednesday, I worked with him for 18 months and he gave me a lot of advice. Last season was one of my best because of him.
He taught me how to play my position, how to fight for the team, and even helped me off the pitch to settle in. He’s a great manager with many good ideas and I think he will help us win games.”
Gassama also reflected on Rohl’s demanding but rewarding training sessions, adding that while the work was intense, it built discipline and togetherness among players.
“Training is hard with him — but that’s normal. He wants his players to work hard every day, not just in matches. Even the warm-up was hard! But I’m very excited to work with him again. I think we can do great things at Rangers.”
What Might Have Been for Wednesday
For many Sheffield Wednesday supporters, Gassama’s words will only deepen the pain of what has been lost. The pair’s reunion in Glasgow serves as a stark reminder of what could — and should — have been in South Yorkshire.
Less than a year ago, the club appeared to be on a steady path. Under Rohl, Wednesday had a clear identity, a hardworking and united squad, and a sense of belief that had long been missing. The manager’s tactical intelligence and man-management masked many of the ownership’s structural flaws, allowing fans to dream of a brighter future.
That optimism has since evaporated. Chansiri’s regime has left the club crippled financially, the squad in tatters, and morale at an all-time low. What once looked like a foundation for long-term progress has been replaced by instability, frustration, and disillusionment.
A Painful Contrast
The contrast between Wednesday’s collapse and Rohl’s promising new chapter at Rangers could not be more painful for the fanbase. While Rohl and Gassama now prepare to challenge for trophies in Scotland, Wednesday languish at the foot of the Championship — facing the prospect of administration, points deductions, and possibly even relegation.
Supporters are left to wonder what might have been had the club’s leadership shown the foresight, ambition, and responsibility needed to keep Rohl and his project intact. A little financial backing and stability might have seen Wednesday competing in the top half of the Championship instead of fighting for their very survival.
As one disheartened fan recently put it, “Rohl built something special — and Chansiri tore it all down.”
The sad reality is that Sheffield Wednesday’s crisis has become one of English football’s cautionary tales: a story of potential squandered, loyalty tested, and faith betrayed. And as Rohl and Gassama celebrate a new beginning at Rangers, Wednesday supporters can only watch from afar, haunted by the painful question — what if?