Roman Abramovich Hands Chelsea Over to New Owners
Roman Abramovich Hands Chelsea Over to New Owners
Roman Abramovich has finally handed over Chelsea to new owners after about twenty years in charge of the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Russian billionaire Abramovich handed over ‘stewardship and care’ due to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Here’s our look at a dramatically-different power centre for the Blues – including chairman Bruce Buck and women’s team manager Emma Hayes.
What has Abramovich said?
In a rare statement from Abramovich, which was released on the club’s website on Saturday evening, the Chelsea owner said: “During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities.
Long-serving chairman Bruce Buck is one of the six Chelsea trustees[/caption]
And that thrusts these half-dozen figures into the limelight – ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final with Liverpool.
New Yorker Buck has been a Chelsea fan since 1983, while Hayes has bossed the Blues’ women to the Double during her six-year reign.
John Devis is Head of the Sports Team at law firm Muckle LLP and equality campaigner Piara Powar used to be Chief Executive of Kick It Out
Completing the six are Chelsea’s Director of Finance Paul Ramos and lifelong Blues fan Sir Hugh Robertson, vice-chairman of the British Olympic Association.
Ahead of the Wembley showpiece, Tuchel had admitted he understood criticism directed at Chelsea in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“It’s distracting us, it’s worrying us, to a certain degree I can understand it, I can understand the critical opinions towards the club and us who represent it,” said Tuchel. “We cannot fully free ourselves from it.”
Chelsea’s history under Abramovich
Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 from Ken Bates for a reported fee of £140m. In the 19 years since he has spent more than £1billion, won 19 major trophies and sacked 11 managers.
In that time, Chelsea have won:
- 5 Premier League titles (2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2014-15, 2016-17)
- 5 FA Cups (2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-12, 2017-18)
- 3 League Cups (2004-05, 2006-07, 2014-15)
- 2 Champions Leagues (2011-12, 2020-21)
- 2 Europa Leagues (2012-13, 2018-19)
- Club World Cup (2021-22)
- UEFA Super Cup (2021-22)
And he has worked with 13 different managers:
- Claudio Ranieri (2000-04)
- Jose Mourinho (2004-07 & 2013-15)
- Avram Grant (2007-08)
- Luiz Felipe Scolari (2008-09)
- Guus Hiddink (2009 & 2015-16)
- Carlo Ancelotti (2009-11)
- Andre Villas-Boas (2011-12)
- Roberto Di Matteo (2012)
- Rafael Benitez (2012-13)
- Antonio Conte (2016-18)
- Maurizio Sarri (2018-19)
- Frank Lampard (2019-21)
- Thomas Tuchel (2021-present)
