Chelsea in Turmoil on Ownership!
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There's chaos once more at Stamford Bridge, as the co-owner seeks to take over Todd Boehly's role as the leading partner.
As we near the two-year mark since the Todd Boehly-led group took over from the Russian billionaire at the helm of the club, it hasn't exactly been an easy ride. Overspending on player transfers and a revolving door of managers have left Chelsea fans feeling uncertain about what the future holds for the team.
Currently, the situation has deteriorated, as the club’s owners are at odds with each other.
Chelsea is currently facing internal struggles, which has paved the way for Clearlake Capital's involvement. This American private equity firm has a controlling stake in the club, making it worthwhile to think about either buying out Todd Boehly or negotiating an arrangement that would limit his influence, leaving him with more of a ceremonial position.
The mood in Chelsea's boardroom has worsened since the weekend. Boehly, eager to resolve the issue quickly, believes he has investors lined up to supply the £2.5 billion required to acquire Clearlake's 61.5% ownership stake.
This situation is even tougher for those holding Chelsea tickets, as their main goal is to witness the team's success on the pitch.
Clearlake, which is run by Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano, appears to doubt that Boehly will present a worthwhile bid and is firmly stating that it has no intention of selling.
The perspective is that Boehly ought to either sell the club or agree to modifications in its governance that would take him off the board and eliminate his influence over decision-making, in return for financial benefits.
It seems Boehly ought to think about resigning from his position as chairman. According to existing regulations, a nominee from Clearlake will take over as chairman in 2027. However, Boehly’s team viewed an immediate shift as out of the question.
A key goal for Clearlake is to ensure that minority shareholders do not influence company governance. Right now, any decisions need approval from Boehly, Eghbali, and Feliciano. If shares are sold or if there’s any external investment, it requires the agreement of all three.
It’s unlikely that Boehly, who has invested his own funds, will agree to give up his influence. According to a source, the way the ownership is set up means he would need to approve any deal that could negatively impact him.
Recent reports highlight the divisions that have emerged since Boehly led the group that purchased Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in 2022.
The chances of mending their relationship are slim. Boehly, along with his partners Mark Walter and Hansjörg Wyss, each holds a 38.5% share that is divided evenly among them.
Reports suggesting that Boehly is planning to sell have been dismissed, but it has been noted that he might entertain a "very attractive" offer. He sees his role as part of a long-term commitment spanning 20 to 30 years, and there are indications that he is working towards a complete acquisition.
Clearlake is steadfast in its position, confident that it holds the upper hand. While no actions have been taken yet, there are thoughts of boosting its investment. This might involve discussions with Walter and Wyss, but the primary attention is on Boehly.
Boehly, with his considerable background in sports ownership from various minority investments in the US, took on significant duties during the summer following the acquisition and stepped up to serve as the temporary sporting director.
However, things haven't been going well in England for the billionaire who has thrived in the US. Chelsea ticket holders are extremely upset.
Chelsea's significant investment didn't yield the expected results, as several of Boehly's acquisitions fell short. He claims that he never planned to be so involved in the day-to-day operations and instead dedicated his first year to creating a new sports framework. His goal is to cultivate a winning culture within the club.
In the last year and a half, Boehly has taken a step back, giving Eghbali the chance to take center stage. Chelsea has overhauled its recruitment team, which is now headed by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. Eghbali has played a significant role in daily operations, especially when it comes to player transfers. However, Boehly believes that Eghbali should have a more limited role moving forward.
There are varying viewpoints regarding the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge.
At Chelsea, there's a shared belief that selling to Clearlake would create unnecessary upheaval. Clearlake is in harmony with head coach Enzo Maresca and is convinced that bringing in young talent on lengthy contracts with significant incentives will be worthwhile in the long run.
Stewart, Winstanley, and the rest of the recruitment team have our complete backing.
Since Abramovich left, there have been significant changes happening behind the scenes. Chris Jurasek, who recently resigned as CEO, has joined a new management team. It is believed that Boehly is in favor of promoting Jason Gannon to the role of CEO.
Cole Palmer's Position Change Rejected
Cole Palmer may be in for more annoyance at Chelsea, as the club's management has made a commitment to a newcomer.
Chelsea has had a chaotic international break. Even though there haven't been any matches to play, they've been dealing with a lot of problems behind the scenes.
Sources suggest that the partnership between Chelsea's co-owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake, has broken down. There are rumors that Clearlake may consider purchasing Boehly's share in the near future.
This follows two years of inconsistent planning by Boehly and his team, during which Chelsea's approach to transfers has faced scrutiny on multiple occasions.
Chelsea's main player is significantly impacted.
Joining on deadline day last year, Palmer had an outstanding first season at the Bridge, scoring 27 goals and contributing 15 assists in all competitions.
As everything around them crumbled, the one glimmer of hope that continued to draw fans back to buy Chelsea tickets was Palmer.
Nonetheless, an agent representing a prospective Chelsea player suggests that Palmer may need to move from his preferred role in the upcoming seasons.
This follows Palmer's discussion about his preferred role on the field last year, where he shared on the official Chelsea website: "I played left-back when I was in Under-10s. After that, I moved to midfield, and later I played as a right-winger, left-winger, and striker. My first start at City was as a striker."
"I've played in various positions on the frontline, but I would say my top two are right-wing and number 10."
"I usually played as a number ten during my time at the academy, and for the last three years, I've primarily played on the right wing. However, I'm prepared to contribute to the team in any position that's required."
If this happens, it will definitely lead to Chelsea's decline, as their inconsistent approach to high spending in transfers will finally take a toll on their top talent.
Supporters holding Chelsea tickets are optimistic that the new coach will make smarter decisions than the club’s owners.