Since assuming ownership of Chelsea from Roman Abramovich and Clearlake Capital in 2022, the American owner has wielded complete authority over the club’s decisions. However, despite significant investment, the team has endured a trophy drought over the past two years, spending close to £1 billion on player transfers, cycling through four managers, and finishing mid-table in the Premier League.
Frank Lampard’s interim management stint ended disastrously, followed by the dismissals of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter in quick succession. Mauricio Pochettino, formerly of Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain, now leads Chelsea, currently languishing in 11th place in the Premier League.
Criticism for Chelsea’s underperformance has largely fallen on Boehly’s shoulders. According to reports in The Telegraph, a contractual agreement suggests that Boehly might relinquish his role as club chairman within three years, with Clearlake Capital’s Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano potentially selecting a replacement by 2027.
However, this agreement is more of a suggestion than a binding commitment, leaving room for Boehly to remain in charge if Clearlake chooses not to nominate a successor. Despite increased scrutiny of Boehly’s leadership, Eghbali’s influence within the club has reportedly grown, although there’s uncertainty about whether Clearlake’s executives will indeed step into the chairman role. Boehly, meanwhile, remains committed to the position, attending Chelsea matches while Eghbali and Feliciano maintain a lower profile.
