Since acquiring Chelsea from Roman Abramovich and Clearlake Capital in 2022, the American owner has assumed full control over the club’s decisions. However, despite significant investments in player transfers amounting to nearly £1 billion, Chelsea has endured a trophy-less streak over the past two years. This period has also seen the club go through four managerial changes and culminated in a middling Premier League finish.
Frank Lampard’s interim managerial stint proved disastrous, followed by quick successions of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, both of whom were subsequently dismissed. Currently, Mauricio Pochettino, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, holds the managerial reins at Chelsea, steering the team to an 11th position in the Premier League standings.
While much of the criticism for Chelsea’s struggles has been directed at Boehly, the American owner, recent revelations suggest a potential shift in leadership dynamics. According to reports in The Telegraph, a contractual clause stipulates that Boehly may relinquish his role as club chairman in three years, with Clearlake Capital’s representatives gaining the opportunity to nominate a replacement by 2027.
However, this arrangement remains subject to Clearlake’s decision, and Boehly could potentially reclaim the chairmanship by 2032 if Clearlake were to secure it. Despite mounting pressure on Boehly, there are indications that Behdad Eghbali’s influence within the club has significantly grown in the past year, as per The Telegraph.
While the reported agreement outlines a possible transition in leadership, it is not binding, leaving room for Boehly to continue leading Chelsea if Clearlake opts not to nominate a successor. Although Eghbali and Jose Feliciano may have the chance to assume the chairmanship, there is uncertainty regarding their inclination to accept the role, while Boehly has expressed no intention of stepping down.
Boehly has remained visibly engaged by attending Chelsea matches, contrasting with Eghbali and Feliciano’s low-key presence away from the spotlight. Despite the potential for leadership changes, the future direction of Chelsea’s ownership and management remains subject to ongoing negotiations and decisions by its stakeholders.
