Sheffield United’s owners have addressed supporters following reports of potential interest in a Sheffield Wednesday takeover.
The 2025/26 season has been a nightmare for United fans, as they have had to watch their club battle to the bottom of the division after coming so close to Premier League football previous season.
Even after bringing Chris Wilder back as manager, the Blades continued to lose, creating a sour mood inside Bramall Lane.
There has also been cause for anxiety off the pitch, with journalist Alan Nixon reporting that Sheffield United’s owners, COH Sports, may consider selling the club in 2026.
This was followed by the even more worrying news that COH Sports was purportedly interested in acquiring Sheffield Wednesday, which understandably upset supporters.
Sheffield United’s owners address fans following Sheffield Wednesday takeover rumours.
Despite this challenging moment off the pitch, there remains a glimmer of hope in the United faithful that things will improve for them on the pitch.
The Blades’ last game was by far the pinnacle of their season, with a 3-0 victory at Hillsborough in the Steel City derby.
With reports of prospective interest in a Sheffield Wednesday takeover circulating, COH Sports has decided to address United supporters about their ambitions and goals for the future, reaffirming their intention to maintain ownership at Bramall Lane.
“As the owners and custodians of the club, we remain hugely confident that with your support and some targeted additions to the squad, we will soon climb back up the table to where we belong,” read the statement, addressed to fans by Sheffield United Football Club co-chairmen Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy.
“But make no mistake: delivering regular Premier League football to Sheffield United is why we’re here. We are working as hard as we can to upgrade the club so that it is in the best possible competitive position.
“This trip is a marathon, not a sprint. There have been ups and downs, as with every club. However, our ambitions and devotion are still the same as the day we walked in.
“Namely that is to run a club that has the smartest recruitment with the right balance of youth and experience; a club that is at the cutting edge of data, analytics and medical developments; and a club that has a deeper pool of commercial partnerships so that we can invest in the playing staff.”
Sheffield United fans respond to the COH Sports announcement.
It’s been a tumultuous few days for Sheffield United fans, who have had to balance the joy of overcoming Wednesday in the derby with the absolute turmoil that has surrounding their owners following allegations of a possible sale and interest in their city rivals.
This message has elicited mixed reactions from the Bramall Lane faithful, who appreciate their owners’ open communication but are leery of recent rumors surrounding them.
“A well-timed and much-needed statement from the owners,” wrote one fan. “Would like to see them do a bit more with local media but regular updates is sometimes the reassurance fans need.”
“Good statement; let’s hope they stick to their word about additions in January!” said another.
Some supporters were less warm toward their co-chairmen and wished to express their dissatisfaction with the club’s management in previous years.
“Great to hear that you guys are still alive and have remembered you own a football club,” said one supporter, who wanted to make sure that the rumours of interest in taking over Wednesday were not true.
“Now, just make sure you don’t do anything ridiculous, like try to buy our city competitors and merge with them.
“Luckily, no one’s that daft, am I right?”
“Get somebody on the board who knows something about football!” said another. “These lot clearly have the money but they don’t have the braincells.”
However, there was still time for some overwhelming positive, as the statement fully won over a segment of United fans.
“The thing is, I genuinely believe they were going to dominate world football,” revealed one of the Bramall Lane fans.
Only time will tell whether Sheffield United can return to the Premier League under COH Sports’ ownership, but it is fair to say that the Blades’ fan base is still divided on them.
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