Todd Boehly has installed himself as interim sporting director after Chelsea confirmed the departure of Marina Granovskaia.
The Blues have announced that Granovskaia, who oversaw Chelsea’s recruitment under former Roman Abramovich, will follow ex-chairman Bruce Buck in leaving the Stamford Bridge club as part of the restructuring of their hierarchy.
New co-owner Boehly has been confirmed as the club’s new chairman but will also lead the way on Chelsea’s recruitment as interim sporting director until a permanent replacement is appointed, with manager Thomas Tuchel also handed an increased say.
New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has appointed himself as interim sporting director
Chelsea will continue to be able to call on Granovskaia until the closure of the summer window. In a statement, the club said she will ‘will ‘remain available to Boehly and the club for the duration of the current transfer window‘ to help Chelsea pursue their targets, which includes Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling.
Alongside Boehly, fellow co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano, of Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter, Hansjorg Wyss and Jonathan Goldstein have all been appointed to Chelsea’s new board.
They will be joined by Barbara Charone, Lord Daniel Finkelstein and James Pade.
Boehly and Clearlake Capital appear determined to draw a line under the Roman Abramovich regime, with the three most senior personnel – Buck, Granovskaia and chief executive Guy Laurence – all leaving the club.
Buck’s departure was confirmed last Monday, and Granovskaia’s had been expected before confirmation from the club on Wednesday.
Granovskaia, in her role under Abramovich, had been lauded as ‘football’s best club director’.
The Russian-Canadian business executive has effectively run the club on a day to day basis.
Boehly and his consortium have been hands-on since their takeover was completed and were already overseeing
More to follow
