Mandaric plays down takeover talk

Wednesday chairman Milan Mandaric has poured cold water over reports linking former Playboy model Sybil Danning with a proposed takeover of the Owls.

It's been a strange old day down at Hillsborough, with a report in The Sun this morning claiming Danning and her husband Horst Lasse were keen to invest in the club.

Already shareholders in a German ice hockey team, the duo were seemingly looking to expand their sports business venture, telling The Sun: 'We have been looking into buying an English team with a strong fan base and great potential.

'Sheffield Wednesday matches those ideals. It is one of the most famous names in English football and, even though it has suffered in the last few years, we believe we can give it the energy needed to get to the Premier League.

'We have been studying this for the past month and if negotiations go well we hope to conclude an agreement to buy the club.'

Mandaric issued a response via the club's official website pretty swiftly, and here it is in full.

He said: 'I am aware of the story published today and as a result feel it is appropriate to address this situation with our supporters.

'I have always been honest and transparent and I can say I have never met or spoken to the people named in this article. I was as surprised as everybody else to see the story but I cannot control what is written or said in the media.

'What I am never surprised about is the fact that a fantastic club such as ours attracts media attention such as this. We are heading in the right direction on the pitch as our improved position in the league indicates and off the field, we have a strong, football-based infrastructure and organisation, make no mistake about that. The progress we have made in such a short space of time has taken a lot of hard work and is there for everyone to see.

'Of course, I am flattered, because this is not the first story of its kind and I am sure it will not be the last. Let me tell you that I am 100 per cent committed to Sheffield Wednesday but if the right person or persons come along who can take this club further forward, I would stand aside.

'I have done that at my previous clubs and I would do the same here. One thing is for sure, when my time does come to step aside at Sheffield Wednesday, I will leave this club in much better shape than when I came here last December.

'But I can completely assure you that until that day comes, my focus is here and my heart is at Hillsborough. I want to and will be open with our supporters - Sheffield Wednesday is an iconic brand in the football world and, as always, every decision I make will continue to be in the best interests of our club.'

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