July 18 – With club transfer business in full swing with the start of the new season only a couple of weeks away, Chelsea and Newcastle United have both moved to bolster their management, hiring executives from the US.
Chelsea have confirmed former Manchester City and Derby County commercial chief Tom Glick as their new ‘president of business’, while Darren Eales is leaving Atlanta United in the MLS to take over at Newcastle.
Under their new American regime, Chelsea have operated something of a revolving door policy with their leading executives. Former chairman, American Bruce Buck who crafted the deal with the new American owners – venture capitalists Clearlake and their man on the ground Todd Boehly – wasted no time sending him on his way having said he would remain as chair. Once Boehly was in position, club director Marina Granovskaia – the driving force behind the club’s management and the key player dealmaker – followed Buck, with Petr Cech leaving his role as technical and performance advisor.
Glick will take responsibility for day-to-day operations at the club and manage the commercial strategy and drive revenue growth. Glick was most recently President of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers franchise.
In English football Glick has served on the Football League Board, the FA Council, and the Professional Game Board.
About 300 miles north, Newcastle United’s Saudi owners are bringing in Englishman Eales back to England as the club’s new chief executive officer.
Eales leaves MLS side Atlanta United where he has been since 2014 overseeing the club’s formation and entry into the MLS. With Eales they have already won an MLS title and built a thriving football business.
Newcastle’s owners will be expecting the same.
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