October 22 – Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay is leaving the club after 10 years, five of them as chief executive. The split is amicable, Gourlay is said to be leaving to pursue “new business opportunities”.
A Scotsman, Gourlay joined Chelsea as chief operating officer having previously been at Manchester United and Umbro.
Alongside Peter Kenyon, who was also from Manchester United, Gourlay was a key part of the management team that ushered in commercial change and the Abramovich era to Chelsea. Gourlay succeeded Kenyon
A statement said: “The club, and in particular the owner and directors, wish to thank Ron for his many years of service to Chelsea and support his desire to seek new challenges. Ron’s efforts have helped the club to achieve its position as one of the leading football clubs in the world.”
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and board director Marina Granovskaia will take over executive responsibilities for the running of the club while a replacement for Gourlay is sought.
During Gourlay’s time at Chelsea, the club has enjoyed its most successful ever period on the pitch. It has also overhauled the commercial side of its business. First to make it competitive under its new Russian owner and then again to comply with UEFA’s financial fair play regulations
Gourlay said: “It has been a privilege to have played a role in the club’s considerable achievements both on and off the pitch over the last 10 years, but I feel the time is right to move on to other challenges.”
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