Chelsea have missed out on Christoph Freund, after Todd Boehly identified him as the club’s top target to be their new sporting director.
Since replacing Roman Abramovich as the Blues owner earlier this year, Boehly has carried out an extensive overhaul behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge. The US tycoon opted to remove Marina Granovskaia from her position, which saw her oversee the club’s transfer activity.
Boehly has served as the interim sporting director since her exit and assisted Thomas Tuchel during a summer window which saw Chelsea spend almost £300million. Tuchel has since been sacked as manager, with the new appointment tasked with helping new boss Graham Potter.
Red Bull Salzburg’s Freund had been handpicked as the priority appointment, having impressed during his time with the Austrian club. The 45-year-old was in attendance for Chesea’s clash with Salzburg last week and there was a hope an agreement could be reached.
However, Salzburg CEO Stephan Reiter has now confirmed that Freund will remain in his current position. "Christoph Freund has been doing excellent work for us for many years and only recently extended his contract until 2026,” Reiter said.
“I can hereby confirm that he will remain sporting director of FC Red Bull Salzburg. Of course, he informed me about Chelsea’s interest in him and we exchanged ideas on a personal level and in good conversations. The fact is that he will remain our sporting director.”
Freund himself added: "As I have already confirmed in interviews, Chelsea was interested in me. When such a big club asks, it not only honours me, but the work of FC Red Bull Salzburg.
“It is of course also a fact which entails personal considerations. But I've come to the conclusion that FC Red Bull Salzburg is the best place for me and that a change is out of the question for me.
“We're in the middle of a very intense phase and have important tasks to do in the Bundesliga, Cup and Champions League – that's what my whole focus and concentration are on.”
Freund played a pivotal role in a host of hugely successful signings, including Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane, Naby Keita and Dayot Upamecano. And the blow of missing out on the highly-rated transfer guru has been further compounded by Adi Hutter, who worked alongside Freund in Salzburg.
The veteran coach, speaking before his old boss’ late U-turn had claimed that Chelsea landing Freund would go down as their biggest move in the last half century, such is his reputation within the game.
"The way he treats people is great. He continued Rangnick's incredible work,” Hutter told Sky Sports in Germany. “For me, that would be the biggest transfer in the last 50 years." He added: “I think it's sensational. I wish him, if he gets this opportunity, that he takes this step.”
After missing out on Freund, it is now believed Chelsea will go back to the drawing board with their process and that an appointment could now come some way down the line.
