Sheffield Wednesday News 24/7Writer: Nick 
Date:Sunday December 5 2010
Time: 4:03PM
UK time is: 21:08:50
Choose your club
Other Sites
Network Navigation
Vital Partners
'If It's Football, It's Vital'
Mandaric Targets Top Flight With Owls
Ambitious Milan Mandaric has targeted a Barclays Premier League return with Wednesday, and is hoping to do it within the next four years.
The former Leicester City chairman will take up his new position at new owner of the Owls in an official capacity on Wednesday, December 15, and will attend his first match next Saturday when Wednesday host Bristol Rovers.
But, although the Owls still have plenty of work to do to just get out of npower League One this season, the Serbian-American businessman has high ambitions at Hillsborough, with a return to the top flight in sight.
'I want to be the owner and chairman of a Premier League club again, and I shall not be leaving England until I have achieved that aim,' he told SkySports.com.
'I am not taking over Sheffield Wednesday as a hobby. This is a cruel and serious business.
'If you do it right you get your rewards, but if you do it wrong you get punished.
'The first priority is to get out of League One and once we have done that we aim for the Premier League.'
Mandaric's calls bear similarities to former boss Chris Turner's statement that he planned to get the Owls into Europe within five years when he took over at S6 years ago.
But where Turner failed, Wednesdayites are expected to have more faith in Mandaric, who helped guide and keep Portsmouth in the Premier League,and who left Leicester City in a position to do the same under Sven Goran Eriksson.
Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco
Your Comments
interesting. i see on Owlstalk everybody is calling for Irvine's head. I'm not sure that's fair in my opinion. what does everybody else think? do you like Irvine as Manager? Do you think he should go? do you think Mandaric will bin him anyway?
Carbone's Padawan
Let's hope Manderic's right. Just one thinig Nick, we play Bristol Rovers next week. not Bristol City.
CLIFFANDJ
dont think irvine is that bad a manager but some of his decision's baffle me we proberly should'nt have lost yesterday but one defeat in six aint bad goin
retfordowl1867
Well i think you know my opinion Carbone's Padawan, he should have been sacked after the C. Palace game, but i was willing to give him a chance after the half decent signings he made, but to be honest his style of football sends you to sleep, he seems to have his favourites, and obviously Heffernan is'nt one of them, i have missed 4 away games all season, so i've seen quite a lot of the team to have an opinion but you would'nt think so to listen to Hirst's Shinpads, i just think now is the right time to make the change, now Milan has took charge, because to be honest we should'nt be lossing to the likes of Brentford, Carlisle(twice),Plymouth and Swindon. Milan says he wants us back in the premiership in 4 years so make it now before its too late.
ecco owl
Cheers Cliff - wishful thinking eh?
nickswfc
I'm just wondering who would be the one to replace him? I'm not sure what to think about this Carbone's Padawan. I haven't known a manager NOT to baffle me in some time, and I'm wondering who we could attract in League One that would be better (being out of the country I'm probably out of the loop on that matter). There is something to be said for consistency while in mid-stream... but if that's at the cost of winning, it's no good. I agree with retfordowl that he's not a bad manager, so am wondering if the devil you know doesn't apply for the moment.
Colorado Owl
too often I hear that we need to sack the manager. the usual argument is that they are tactically inept. The upshot is that we do not always agree with the tactics that they employ. ecco i do agree that his style of play is pretty boring but this isn't really a surprise given that he his trying to keep it tight. regardless of anything else we are in 4th place and in a position to really push on. i would much rather be watching us relentlessly attack teams but we've had managers who've done that before and still got sacked. on the heffernan issue I can't get my head round it either ecco, Irvine signed him so why isn't he in favour? very strange, I would have played him from the start. i think there is a fair chance mm will get rid of him but I have no idea who we could get who would make everyone happy. bear in mind that if we do replace irvine the new guy will have to hit the ground running or it will be a pointless exercise. an opinion is one thing but calling for a guy to be sacked is another
Hirsty's Shinpads
Im happy to give him until the end of january to sort out this inconsistency. We have lost over a third of our games, 7 out of 19. lets face it,with the squad he managed to put together most thought we would only lose a handfull all season never mind 7 before xmas. but the way its going isnt good enough to barely scrape into the play offs. its fair enough saying we are 4th but after the next round of games we could be mid-table. But, like i said before, im happy to give him another couple of months, gives him enough time to improve yet leaves enough for a new manager should he fail to improve.
DEZZYP
think i agree with you dezzy. i still take my hat off to irvine for putting the squad together like he did with zero money. but yes, we should be performing better really. I've always defended Irvine but some of his decision of late have been nothing short of weird.
Carbone's Padawan
Success doesn't come to clubs that change their manager every year or so, I'd like to see Irvine given a fair crack of the whip under MM although he isn't known for having too much patience with under performing managers. Hopefully we can do some business in January and really kick on in the 2nd half of the season, we're in a good position after all.
sussexowl
Sussex - I think you're confusing causation and correlation there - successful clubs don't change their managers every year, but many of them have got there by doing just that! Chelsea have gone through plenty under Abramovich, Man Utd almost sacked Fergie, Liverpool haven't really found the winning formula under any manager recently, apart from in Europe with Rafa, Portsmouth only got to and stayed in the Prem under MM by hiring and firing relentlessly...
I do want Irvine to stay though, at least until the end of January - his summer signings really impressed me and I'd definitely like to see what he can do in January with a little money in the bank! I agree with most of the people on here really - I don't think he's a bad manager, but some of his selection decisions have been nothing short of baffling (refusal to play Hinds/Heff, playing Spurr on the right, when Jones showed against Swindon he's the much better choice without Buxton/Otsemobor, ignoring Hinds.)
till_i_die
Maybe Irvine would be more ambitious if he had more confidence in his defence in the first place. They're just too inconsistent and some of the goals conceded have been from pretty basic poor defending. We seem to have little depth in cover for any injuries to defenders and the results speak for themselves as soon as the defence has to be shored up - as at Swindon. As far as sacking Irvine is concerned, you still have to give x=credit for the fact that we're 4th in the table. Here in Preston, supporters were really unhappy when he was sacked and replaced by Son of Ferguson - who despite having been able to get Dad to loan him players, has failed to deliver completely. I think most Preston supporters would welcome Irvine back here. The way things are going. the Owls and Preston could well be swapping places come the end of the season. I'd like to see Milan give Irvine some cash for a couple of additional quality players - especially a real leader in defence or (preferably and) midfield. This could make a real difference and get us into those two automatic spots.
Prestonowl
Prestonowl, you might just have a very good point. Iv never really thought about it like that before that the defence might just need protecting. We'll see in january if he can bring a couple of new players in maybe with better defenders he might give the midfielders a bit more freedom.....hope so anyway.
DEZZYP
certainly an ambitious target! at least 5 years i would say (hope i'm wrong) we definetly need some additions to the squad, at least one CB (don't think purse or hinds are up to much), a CM, and possibly another striker (i would like charlie austin - he's yound and certainly knows where the goal is!) Lets put another run of wins together starting with a win against bristol! UTO
Wednesdayforlife
with all things considered I'd really like to see what Irvine could do with money to spend in the market. bearing in mind the squad he put together with nothing to spend and a shoestring wage budget (albeit one of the larger budgets in league 1). if nothing else, I'd like to see who he can bring in.
Carbone's Padawan
That's a good point Carbone's. If he can put a team together like this without money, it would be fun to watch the squad build with a bit of scratch. I also wonder how much money MM will put into new player purchases from the start, after shelling out for to the Bank and shareholders. If he is setting his sights or Prem. League in 4-5 years, I'm thinking that he want's to start earlier rather than later.
Colorado Owl
I'd guess at a couple of million to start with. that's ample given the league we're in. we're financially capable of bringing in some of the top talent from league 1 now as well as maybe some bargains from the Championship. Charlie Austin anyone??
Carbone's Padawan
(i know we don't really need Austin - there's other area's that are a bigger priority, but how nice is it that we are actually capable of placing a bid for a player now!?)
Carbone's Padawan
I like Charlie Austin, he's been a bit of a revalation for this league but I think he'd struggle at a big club like Wednesday? Bigger and better names have done so, and continue to do so to this day! If MM did give a couple of million (which I doubt he will?) we should not be looking at bringing in the top talent of lge 1 in if he wants us back in the prem in 4 years! We pretty much have the top talent in lge 1 in my opinion so we should be looking at building from there? MM has some excellent contacts in the game lets not forget and could probably get us some good championship names who are nearing the end of their contracts whilst still paying championship wages (which he did with Leicster to ensure automatic promotion) Luciano Becchio for example (i said for example, i'm not trying to encourage the signing of dirty Leeds players!) or at a big optimistic push, Jeremie Aliadiare (dont really rate him to be honest but should really smash lge 1!) is without a club! Just to totally contradict everything i've said, we should look at lge 2 also! If you look at Sean McCalister playing at Shrewsbury, id love to have him in our CM right now! My mate plays for them as well at CB and is an excellent player and x10 better than any of our CB's at the minute! To get out this lge we need people who know it! So to sum up - I dont really know! As CP says its nice to be in this situation really!
Owls That!
he will probably need to bring another striker in, cant see the mighty heff being at ours after january, AI clearly doesnt fancy him. Another centre back and centre midfielder would be my ideal positions to fill along with getting mellor signed up. rather than sign up players for league 1, id rather try and get a couple of hot prospects on loan from premier league teams and save the money for a big spend in the summer hopefully for the championship.
DEZZYP
Yes, certainly a CB and a CM. Would like to see a good attacking midfielder in our ranks. Man... it's good to be able to finally have a hope of options coming up to a transfer window! Yes DezzyP, keeping the a healthy pot for the summer spend isn't a bad idea at all.
Colorado Owl
With MM's target Id say getting out of league 1 this season is vital as we may need a couple of seasons in the Championship before launching an assault on the prem, would be good to get back on MOTD again! I fear for Irvine if we don't go up this season.
sussexowl
you never know, if we finish on a high this season we may be able to take some momentum and with a few key signings make an assault on the championship next season, a la leicester and norwich.
leeds are in playoff spots i notice
ozzietheowl
Have Your Say
Recent Articles
Owls XI to visit Frickley Athletic (Monday May 20 2013)
Tigers confirm Wednesday friendly clash (Wednesday May 15 2013)
Owls confirm Scunthorpe friendly date (Wednesday May 15 2013)
Stats: Wednesday v Middlesbrough (Sunday May 5 2013)
Limited tickets left for Boro clash (Wednesday May 1 2013)
Draw keeps Millwall in relegation mix (Tuesday April 30 2013)
Preview: Peterborough v Owls (Friday April 26 2013)
Owls fans to flock to Peterborough (Wednesday April 24 2013)
Bolton recall Owls loan man Holden (Sunday April 21 2013)
Jones content with Ipswich Town point (Sunday April 21 2013)
Archived Articles
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2005
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2006
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2007
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2008
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2009
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2010
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2011
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2012
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2013
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2006
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2007
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2008
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2009
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2010
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2011
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2012
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2013
Vital Members League (view all)
| 1. | optimisticowl | 43 |
| 2. | OurMaurice | 27 |
| 3. | spiro theocropolis | 25 |
| 4. | DB2002 | 20 |
| 5. | ozzietheowl | 14 |
| 6. | dooleys left leg | 13 |
| 7. | Miruic | 13 |
| 8. | dublin owl | 9 |
| 9. | RatherRandomOwl | 6 |
| 10. | trig44 | 6 |
League Results (view all)
| Latest Results | ||||
| Sheff Wed | 2 | - | 0 | Middlesbrough |
| Peterborough | 1 | - | 0 | Sheff Wed |
| Sheff Wed | 1 | - | 1 | Ipswich |
| Blackpool | 0 | - | 0 | Sheff Wed |
| Leeds Utd | 2 | - | 1 | Sheff Wed |
| Millwall | 1 | - | 2 | Sheff Wed |
League Table (view table)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 15. Blackpool | 46 | 14 | 17 | 15 | -1 | 59 |
| 16. Middlesbrough | 46 | 18 | 5 | 23 | -9 | 59 |
| 17. Blackburn | 46 | 14 | 16 | 16 | -7 | 58 |
| 18. Sheff Wed | 46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | -8 | 58 |
| 19. Huddersfield | 46 | 15 | 13 | 18 | -20 | 58 |
| 20. Millwall | 46 | 15 | 11 | 20 | -11 | 56 |
| 21. Barnsley | 46 | 14 | 13 | 19 | -14 | 55 |
Breaking League News
| BWFC: Veni, Vidi, Vici
» Bolton : 22/05/2013 20:51:00
|
| The Vital Forest Fan Interview: Distant Cheers
» Forest : 22/05/2013 20:37:00
|
| LUFC Leeds pre-season plans to be revealed
» Leeds Utd : 22/05/2013 20:13:00
|
| Further International Call-Ups
» Derby County : 22/05/2013 19:44:00
|
| LUFC Brian Greenhoff 1953-2013
» Leeds Utd : 22/05/2013 19:36:00
|
| Proschwitz keen to make Premier League mark
» Hull City : 22/05/2013 18:52:00
|
| Blues go to Ireland.
» Birmingham : 22/05/2013 18:04:00
|
Current Site Poll (view all polls)
|
|