Having narrowly missed out on a
UEFA Cup place in 1996–97, the club record £5.7 million signing of Italian striker
Paolo Di Canio from
Celtic gave Owls fans hopes of another challenge for Europe. But it was not to be, and by the time they lost 6–1 to
Manchester United in November, relegation was looking a real possibility. Manager
David Pleat was swiftly sacked, and
Ron Atkinson – manager of the 1991 promotion and
League Cup winning side – returned to the manager's seat on a short-term contract. He achieved safety by a margin of four points, in 16th place on 44 points by virtue of goal difference (three other sides had finished on 44 points), and was disappointed on being told that his contract would not be renewed. He was succeeded by
Danny Wilson, a former Owls player who played for them in the early, more successful part of the decade. ==Final league table==