Two times Champions League winners Chelsea have announced that Bruce Buck will step down as club chairman at the end of June 2022 after 19 years at the club.
Before Roman Abramovich’s takeover of Chelsea in 2003, the American worked with the Russian and has been chairman of the club ever since, overseeing the team’s great rise in profile and developing Chelsea’s charity work behind the scenes. Chelsea has confirmed that Buck will no longer serve as chairman, but will remain as a ’senior advisor’ under new owner Todd Boehly.
While speaking about the new announcement, Buck said: “I am proud to have helped Chelsea realize great success on the pitch and make a positive impact in the community. Now is the right time to step down and let new ownership build on the strong foundations we have in place. The owners have a compelling vision for Chelsea’s future, and I look forward to helping them achieve it in this new role alongside our incredible staff, players, coaches, and supporters.”
Todd Boehly also reacted by saying: “Bruce has led Chelsea Football Club to the highest levels of international and domestic football, while also developing one of the most active social responsibility projects in sport. We thank Bruce for his service and his commitment to the Club.”
Meanwhile, Todd Boehly has told Chelsea fans that he won’t give huge sums of money for the club to sign new players because of the Financial Fair Play threats. Chelsea can resume signing players now that Boehly has taken ownership at Stamford Bridge.
Southampton have agreed on a deal with Chelsea for teenage goalkeeper Eddie Beach, while the Blues are also hoping to recruit Chicago Fire star Gabriel Slonina. The free transfer of Ousmane Dembele and the signing of Sevilla center-back Jules Kounde are among Boehly’s intentions, with Chelsea confident of securing the latter for roughly £50 million.
There are still several areas where Chelsea supporters want to see improvement, but Boehly has warned that the club can only do so much this summer. Chelsea are also interested in Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling.
“Financial Fair Play is starting to get some teeth and that will limit ability to acquire players at any price,” the American billionaire said.
“UEFA takes it seriously and will continue to take it seriously. [More teeth] means financial penalties and disqualification from competitions. If you look at the models that are very successful, Liverpool is a great model. Liverpool generates a couple of hundred million more revenue than Chelsea and they generate earnings, so there is an opportunity to compete.”
