Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan says it has been "a huge relief" since the club went into administration last week.
The Owls were placed in the hands of insolvency firm Begbies Traynor on Friday, bringing to an end the troubled and controversial ownership of Dejphon Chansiri.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Bannan said: "I think at the minute it's a huge sigh of relief. Obviously, the way we were going it was becoming difficult.
"Month by month we didn't feel there was anything around the club that was positive, so when the news broke out last week, then obviously that begins a new start for the club."
Wednesday's financial problems under Thai businessman Chansiri, who bought the club in 2015, reached crisis point in the summer, with the club placed under various embargoes by the English Football League amid tax debts and failing to pay players and staff on time.
Administration has led to an automatic 12-point deduction, which has left the Owls, who were already bottom of the Championship, 16 points from safety.
But a sense of optimism has enveloped the club and their fanbase as the process has now begun to find a new owner.
Both the EFL and the administrator now running the Owls are hopeful the club can be sold quickly to new owners, with 'four or five' serious bidders already interested in taking over at Hillsborough.
"The way it's gone the last couple of months, the way it went at the turn of the summer - I think that's what the club needs," Bannan continued.
"It's been tough, don't get me wrong. This summer was probably the hardest, when you're not at the training ground, when you're on holiday and getting asked a lot of questions that you don't really have the answers for.
"But as a captain of the club, you need to try and help the players, stuff like that, so that was probably the hardest part.
"And pre-season when we came back, we didn't have pitches, they were still getting finished - so they were the hard parts."
Owls fans have boycotted games in recent weeks in a bid to speed up Chansiri's exit, but a crowd of 27,261 returned to Hillsborough for last Saturday's defeat to Oxford.
Bannan, eighth on the club's all-time appearance list, showed his commitment to the ailing club by signing a new deal in August and he added: "The players have been amazing. The staff as well.
"At the training ground and at the stadium, they've all come together and got on with it and done their jobs brilliantly and professionally. Hopefully, there's better times ahead."
Wednesday's nightmare three months
June 3: The club and owner Dejphon Chansiri charged with breaching EFL regulations regarding payment obligations.
June 18: EFL imposes three-window fee restriction after exceeding 30 days of late payments between July 1 2024 and June 30 2025.
June 26: In a statement on the club's official website, Chansiri said he was willing to sell the club.
June 27: Another embargo imposed on the club, relating to payments owed to HMRC.
June 30: Players and staff not paid on time.
July 17: Josh Windass and Michael Smith leave the club by mutual consent.
July 29: Danny Röhl leaves role as manager by mutual consent. The club were forced to close the 9,255-capacity North Stand at Hillsborough after Sheffield City Council issued a Prohibition Notice following a meeting with the local Safety Advisory Group.
July 30: Players and staff not paid on time.
July 31: Röhl's assistant Henrik Pedersen signs a three-year deal to become the club's new manager.
August 6: The EFL releases a statement explaining their stance on the situation. "We are clear that the current owner needs either to fund the club to meet its obligations or make good on his commitment to sell to a well-funded party, for fair market value - ending the current uncertainty and impasse."
August 8: Transfer embargoes lifted after outstanding payments settled, but fee restriction remains in place.
August 10: The Owls lose 2-1 to Leicester in their Championship opener at the King Power Stadium.
August 13: Prohibition Notice on North Stand lifted after "necessary professional safety assurances."
September 4: Wednesday fans launch protest against Chansiri outside Thai embassy in London.
September 30: Players and staff not paid on time.
October 4: Wednesday lose 5-0 at home to Coventry. Kick-off delayed after group of fans run onto the Hillsborough pitch in protest against Chansiri.
October 14: Players and staff receive outstanding wages from September.
October 16: News emerges of imminent winding-up petition over £1m owed to HMRC.
October 22: Wednesday fans boycott home game against Middlesbrough. No official attendance figure released.
October 24: Wednesday file for administration and receive 12-point deduction from the EFL.
October 27: Club hopeful quick sale can unfold with "four or five" parties interested
