Chelsea chief leaves the club after just 15 months following hectic transfer window in which Blues spent more than £200m – as fans welcome exit of unpopular figure they called ‘tone deaf’

Chelsea director Chris Jurasek has left the club after just 15 months in charge following a chaotic transfer window that saw the Stamford Bridge club pay £200million for 11 players.

Since May 2023, the American venture capitalist has been responsible for the business side of the company under the leadership of owner Todd Boehly.

Jurasek left immediately after leaving Clearlake Capital, the private equity group that co-owns Chelsea with Boehly, and will return to the firm after his departure.

The veteran businessman had a strained relationship with his supporters after he scrapped travel subsidies, saving the club just £250,000.

And now he has left the team after a short spell as manager, with current COO Jason Gannon replacing him and also taking on the role of president at the Blues. BBC defeated.

It comes after a chaotic transfer window which saw the Stamford Bridge club spend £200million on 11 players (pictured: Chelsea team against Servette FC on August 22)

The American venture capitalist has been handling the business side of things under Todd Boehly

Jurasek reflected positively on his time at the club, claiming that he had ‘done the job of building a team, both on and off the pitch’ and that Chelsea are now ‘well-placed for long-term success’.

His successor Gannon arrived at Stamford Bridge in October and now takes over the reins, with the club describing the shake-up as ‘planned’, with Jurasek returning to Clearlake.

Gannon said: ‘I feel honoured to take on this exalted position at a club with such a rich history and world-renowned reputation.

‘I’ve built relationships with so many supporters over the last year since I’ve been at Chelsea and it’s a huge privilege to be here.’

Despite Jurasek being respected within the club hierarchy, fans welcomed the player’s departure, with some calling the unpopular player ‘tone deaf’.

Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) said in a statement today: “The CST first met Mr Jurasek in August 2023, ahead of the League Cup tie against AFC Wimbledon.

‘During the feisty meeting he hoped the team would perform well that night and secure three points… this set the tone for his toneless tenure as CEO, during which he made no effort to build a relationship with any supporters group.’

However, the group is delighted with Gannon’s promotion, one of a number of changes made in the latest squad reshuffle at Stamford Bridge.

The club’s new management committee will include Todd Kline

Chelsea were very active in the transfer window this summer, spending £200m on new players, including the signing of Pedro Neto

Conor Gallagher was among those to leave the Blues in a hectic transfer window

The club’s new management committee will consist of Todd Kline, who joins from Tottenham, and former Man United player Phil Lynch, alongside current chief of staff Casper Stylsvig and business director James Murray.

Chelsea were very active in the transfer window this summer, spending £200m on new players, including the signing of Pedro Neto from Wolves for £60m and the arrival of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid for £44m.

There has also been an attempt to clear Stamford Bridge with a bomb squad, which at its peak consisted of 15 first-team players, with Conor Gallagher, Romelu Lukaku and Raheem Sterling all out in a hectic window for the Blues.