Sheffield Wednesday double exit simply must be avoided in 2025 | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday can't lose Danny Rohl or Josh Windass.

Sheffield Wednesday's relative success this season has been built on the importance of two individuals, with head coach Danny Rohl and star player Josh Windass both thriving at Hillsborough.

Starting the season with a 4-0 demolition of Plymouth Argyle, hopes were immediately raised about the Owls finishing near the top of the league table. Since then, they have levelled out but still sit just outside the play-offs as they battle with the likes of Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers for that top-six spot.

Despite this on-field success, matters behind the scenes have been far less harmonious, with Wednesday's owner Dejphon Chansiri clashing with Rohl over the club's transfer policy and the release clause in the German's contract.

Thankfully, the issue has now been resolved, with Alan Nixon reporting that the pair are finally united in their vision for the club’s best interests.

Nevertheless, links continue to arise around Rohl's future lying elsewhere and with Santos showing interest in Windass, it is imperative Chansiri has a strict stance on retaining both.

Danny Rohl is imperative to Sheffield Wednesday's future

Prior to his move to the Steel City, Rohl had limited experience in first-team management and took charge of a side rooted to the bottom of the Championship table early in the 2023–24 season.

Miraculously, he managed to steer them to safety, with the Owls winning eight of their final 13 games of the season. This swiftly elevated expectations, and he has continued to develop his project at Hillsborough, with his side now setting their sights on a potential play-off spot come May.

Unsurprisingly, this dramatic turnaround has piqued the interest of many clubs, with Southampton reportedly eager to have him in their dugout for the 2025–26 campaign.

The former Saints first-team coach has a £5 million release clause in his Owls contract and was heavily linked to the recently vacant Southampton job only last month.

While they opted for Ivan Juric on an 18-month deal instead, it is understood that Saints have a break clause, which could come in useful if they don't see the Croatian's tenure going anywhere.

These developments have to concern Wednesday supporters, with Rohl's fractious relationship with Chansiri potentially leading to an exit in the near future. This relationship will only worsen if the January window continues to go quietly, with the Owls' chairman still yet to provide the German with a new signing.

This makes it pivotal for the Thai businessman to earn back the trust of Rohl, whose retention is crucial to any hopes the blue and white side of Sheffield have in the future.

Josh Windass has to share a similar stance to Rohl

Another person central to the Owls' success this campaign has been Josh Windass, with the versatile attacker netting ten goals after 27 matches.

Having scored the winner in the play-off final to secure promotion from League One in 2022–23, Windass will always hold a special place in the hearts of Wednesdayites, and this season, he is playing some of the best football of his career.

On average, he finds a goal every 189 minutes and is earning some of the highest attempt figures in the league with 2.95 shots per 90, according to FotMob.

This prominence in front of goal has caught the attention of Brazilian side Santos, who, as FLW exclusively revealed, had a bid rejected for the forward. Nevertheless, it seems they remain interested and will keep in contact in the near future about a potential bid.

One development that could affect this move is Santos' bid to sign world superstar Neymar Junior, with Fabrizio Romano now reporting that his "return is imminent". Incredibly, this turn of events could see Windass remain in Sheffield and with the Owls having no intention of selling him, they will be delighted.

This must be viewed as a savvy piece of business, but Wednesday's stance on Windass must remain firm, regardless of any future interest. With limited support in front of goal, much of the responsibility falls on him to deliver the crucial goals, and for Sheffield Wednesday to remain in the play-off hunt as the season progresses, he simply must stay at Hillsborough.

The 31-year-old and Danny Rohl are the two people who have starred for the Owls and if they envisage an opportunity in the Premier League next season or in the future, both must be treated as sovereigns of the club.