Leaving: Petr Cech
(Picture: Getty Images)Petr Cech is to leave his role as Chelsea’s technical and performance advisor as the club’s leadership continues to be overhauled following Todd Boehly’s takeover.
The former Chelsea goalkeeper, who has been in the role for three years, will leave the Blues at the end of the month and follows director Marina Granovskaia and chairman Bruce Buck in walking away from Stamford Bridge after Boehly’s £4.25billion takeover from Roman Abramovich was confirmed last month.
“It has been a huge privilege to perform this role at Chelsea for the past three years,” Cech said. “With the Club under new ownership, I feel now is the right time for me to step aside. I am pleased that the Club is now in an excellent position with the new owners, and I am confident of its future success both on and off the pitch.”
American Boehly has already been confirmed as successor to Buck, who held the post of chairman for 19 years, and will also fill Granovskaia’s vacant position until a permanent appointment is made.
Granovskaia effectively ran the club on Abramovich’s behalf for the best part of a decade and was considered one of the most powerful women in football. Chelsea say she “will remain available” to support the transition but Boehly will take on transfer negotiations this summer, while Thomas Tuchel will be handed more power over recruitment as the Blues face a significant rebuilding job.
Tuchel is in dire need of defensive reinforcements after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers, while last summer’s marquee signing Romelu Lukaku is set to return to Inter Milan on loan.
The Blues are already playing catch-up with some of their rivals after the takeover saga delayed the start of their summer business while the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool have already made major new additions.
On Cech’s exit, Boehly added: “Petr is an important member of the Chelsea family. We understand his decision to step away and thank him for his contributions as an advisor and his commitment to the club and to our community. We wish him the best.”
