Chelsea chief executive Chris Jurasek has left the club a little more than a year after his appointment as part of a reshuffle of management operations at Stamford Bridge.
Jurasek, who has also served as an operating executive at Clearlake Capital — the private equity firm who own a majority stake in Chelsea — for more than a decade, arrived in May 2023 as Tom Glick, the club’s former president of business, stepped down from his post.
In his place will be a management team to run all of Chelsea’s non-sporting operations led by Jason Gannon, the former managing director of SoFi Stadium who was appointed chief operating officer at Stamford Bridge in October 2023. He has been given a new title of president and chief operating officer.
In a statement on Chelsea’s website announcing the changes, Jurasek said: “I am incredibly proud to have led this historic football club into its next chapter. We have accomplished the task of building a team both on and off the pitch that means the club is well-positioned for long-term success.
“I have complete confidence in Jason and the executive leadership team that was built and am thankful to have played a part in its establishment.”
Co-controlling owners Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano said: “We would like to express our gratitude to Chris for taking on this role. He is an outstanding executive, a fact that is underlined by the talented leadership team formed during his tenure.
“We are pleased to announce that Jason Gannon has been promoted to president and chief operating officer of Chelsea Football Club and will be leading our accomplished management team on a day-to-day basis.
“Jason’s unique combination of talent, experience and strategic vision will drive the club forward as we work to achieve our ambitions on and off the pitch.”
Gannon added: “I am honoured to assume this elevated position within a club so rich in history and well-renowned across the globe. I have developed relationships with many supporters over the past year since joining Chelsea, and it is an enormous privilege to be here.
“We have an incredibly passionate supporter base both here in London and across the world, and we are determined to drive the club into a bright and successful future. I would like to thank the board for this tremendous opportunity and I’m thoroughly looking forward to working even closer with the leadership.”
Other prominent figures in the management team supporting Gannon have also been given new job titles: Long-serving general counsel James Bonington has been appointed chief legal & corporate affairs officer, while James Murray, hired from AC Milan last year, will serve as chief strategy officer and head of business operations.
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Chief revenue officer Casper Stylsvig will also see his responsibilities grow in the new structure, with Todd Kline and Phil Lynch also set to take up senior business roles once they formally join from Tottenham and Manchester United respectively.
Sources speaking anonymously told The Athletic that Jurasek’s role at Clearlake was to put in place new leadership teams for companies they buy before moving on, and the swiftness of his Chelsea departure fits within that timeframe – particularly now that Gannon and Stylsvig are in post.
During his tenure as chief executive Jurasek oversaw several decisions that proved unpopular with match-going Chelsea supporters, including the removal of a long-running coach subsidy for away fans and the first rises in general admission season ticket prices in more than a decade.
Earlier this year the Chelsea Supporters Trust took the unusual step of publishing their correspondence with Jurasek in a bid to highlight fan concerns they felt were being ignored by the club’s leadership, and warned of a slide towards “irreversible toxicity” at Stamford Bridge that could manifest in organised protests against Clearlake and Todd Boehly’s ownership.
‘Chelsea fans won’t be shedding any tears’
Analysis by Liam Twomey
It is fair to say that Jurasek’s departure will not be met with any tears from Chelsea Supporters Trust, who issued a withering statement shortly after the news was confirmed: “The CST first met Mr Jurasek in August 2023 ahead of the League Cup tie vs. AFC Wimbledon. During the feisty meeting, he hoped that the team performed well that night and secured 3 points… this set the manner for his tone deaf tenure as CEO in which he made no effort to build a relationship with any supporter group.
“The CST looks forward to working with Jason Gannon as he is promoted to President & Chief Operating Officer. This is a positive change that the club should use to rebuild the trust and confidence of supporters.”
Jurasek is not the first senior Chelsea executive to be held in low regard by CST and other fan groups, and he is unlikely to be the last. But despite the fact that he leaves Stamford Bridge with his standing in the eyes of Clearlake and Boehly undiminished, he did not prove an asset in forging more positive, productive relationships with supporters.
That, he could reasonably argue, was not his main job. But the growth of Chelsea in business terms has also been relatively underwhelming over the past year, most obvious in the ongoing lack of a primary shirt sponsor – though there is no doubt that the club’s commercial aspirations are being severely impacted by a lack of Champions League participation.
Chelsea will hope that Gannon and his management team can capitalise on any improvements on the pitch to help the club grow off it, and his experience managing SoFi Stadium has also been cited as a reason to believe that Clearlake and Boehly’s plans for the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge – which remain unclear two years into their ownership – are in capable hands.
Supporters ultimately care much more about the fortunes of the team than Chelsea’s day-to-day business operations, but many will hope this proves the last of several senior reshuffles under Clearlake and Boehly that has mirrored the coaching and player churn at Stamford Bridge, and the start of a new period of stability.
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