Chelsea owner Todd Boehly to be replaced as Chelsea chairman Next Summer but may return in unique deal it has been confirmed by Fabrizo Romano this evening.
In a strategic move, Chelsea Football Club is set to witness a shift in leadership dynamics come 2027, as Chelsea will succeed Todd Boehly as chairman under an agreement orchestrated with Clearlake Capital. This transition follows a stipulation laid out in the acquisition deal of 2022, allowing for the rotation of chairmanship every five years among American co-owners. Opting to exercise this provision promptly, the Blues are poised to implement the change following the culmination of the 2026–2027 season. Boehly, albeit holding a modest share in the organization, assumed the inaugural chairman role as part of the 2022 takeover. Clearlake Capital, steered by Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano, commands a 61.5 percent stake, while Boehly, along with Hansjorg Wyss and Mark Walter, collectively owns the remaining 38.5 percent.
While Boehly’s tenure is slated to conclude in 2027, an agreement allows for his potential reinstatement at the helm during the subsequent five-year cycle in 2032. Despite this, indications suggest a divergence between Boehly and Clearlake Capital, with the latter exerting considerable influence over decisions at Stamford Bridge. Reports indicate distinct ownership structures, with Boehly’s entity holding “common stock” and Clearlake Capital possessing “preferred stock,” affording varied protections against financial ramifications.
As the impending leadership transition looms, speculation abounds regarding potential successors. While the identity of the next chairman remains undisclosed, the role may be assumed by Feliciano, Eghbali, or an alternative nominee. Notably, while the future of Boehly’s position remains uncertain, the arrangement to alternate chairmanships every five years affords the possibility of his reinstatement in 2032, possibly enabling him to designate a successor in his stead.
Meanwhile, amidst critiques from various quarters, Simon Jordan has chastised Chelsea Supporters’ Trust for the club’s management under Boehly and Eghbali’s stewardship. Despite assertions of amicable relations between Boehly and Clearlake Capital, underscored by joint decision-making protocols, the decision to effect a leadership change reflects a shared belief in Chelsea’s potential for improvement.
The criticism directed at Boehly, compounded by Chelsea’s recent on-field struggles and financial setbacks, underscores the pressing need for strategic recalibration within the club’s leadership echelon.
