Todd Boehly will be REMOVED as Chelsea chairman in 2027 as majority owners Clearlake plan to switch to new figurehead

Chelsea will appoint a new chairman in 2027 to replace Todd Boehly, Mail Sport understands.

As part of an extraordinary agreement, the club’s American co-owners can transfer the chairmanship between themselves every five years. And it can be revealed that the intention is to do just that when the opportunity arises at the end of the 2026-2027 season.

Under the terms of the group’s takeover, Boehly would have “gone first,” despite having a minority stake.

Clearlake Capital, the private equity firm managed by fellow owners Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, has a 61.5 percent stake in the club’s holding company, while Boehly has an equal split of the remaining 38.5 percent with Hansjorg Wyss and Mark Walter.

However, it is believed that the option to elect the first chairman is linked to the terms of the 2022 sale agreement, which, while there would be no negative impact or costs or interest payout from the club’s coffers, stipulates that Boehly’s group would be liable to pay any initial losses upon realization or sale.

Boehly (right) became co-owner of Chelsea in 2022 after joining a consortium alongside private equity firm Clearlake Capital, which included Behdad Eghbali (left)

Mail Sport understands that Boehly’s group owns so-called ‘ordinary shares’, while majority stake holders Clearlake hold ‘preference shares’, which provide more protection against any financial downside.

Eghbali or Feliciano can take on the role themselves or can appoint a third party to take over. No decision has yet been made on who will assume the chairmanship, but Boehly will be removed from his position.

He would then have the option to return in 2032 if he wanted to and if he retained his interest at Stamford Bridge. He and his group could also look elsewhere.

Chelsea has repeatedly denied rumors of problems in Boehly and Clearlake’s relationship. The parties are said to have a professional partnership, speak regularly and that major decisions require a signature from both Eghbali and Boehly. However, the intention to move in a different direction in this position in three years’ time may give the feeling that improvements are possible.

Boehly has been the target of anger from Chelsea supporters and widespread criticism in parts of the media as he is seen as the face of the takeover. Although Eghbali has remained in the background, he is seen as influential in the day-to-day management of the club.

Boehly is rumored to be taking a long-term approach and Eghbali and Feliciano are under pressure from investors to deliver faster returns. However, those close to Clearlake say this is not the case and insist they are also in west London for the long term.

Boehly faced anger among fans following Chelsea’s problems during his tenure

Mail Sport understands that as part of an extraordinary agreement, the club’s American co-owners can transfer the chairmanship between themselves every five years

Chelsea are currently 11th in the Premier League and came under heavy criticism when they lost the Carabao Cup final to a young Liverpool side. They also posted a pre-tax loss of £90.1m in the 12 months to June 30.

While a change in chairmanship would be an important step, it is unlikely that there will be a dramatic change in the way the club operates. For example, the commitment to attracting young talent from across Europe would continue.

Under Boehly and Clearlake, Chelsea have invested in many areas apart from the heavy spending on the playing squad. The amount approved for scouting, data, sports science and performance will represent as much as a tenfold increase over the Roman Abramovich era.

While there is an acceptance that mistakes have been made, the belief is that a change in fortunes is not far away and that a series of appointments to senior positions will pay off.

Chelsea are five points behind West Ham in seventh place and have two games in hand against the Hammers, while they have also been hit by injuries to key players. It is also thought that the new group was hamstrung when they arrived in 2022, with plans for that summer’s transfer window already in place.

Some have wondered in recent months whether the club’s ambitions have changed since the takeover. However, it is thought that the ownership group’s aim remains the same: a Chelsea that wins games, competes in the Champions League and brings trophies to Stamford Bridge.

The American is seen as the face of the takeover, but his co-owners are also influential

Mauricio Pochettino’s team is currently eleventh in the Premier League after a difficult season

A lot of attention has also been paid to the commercial operation of the club. Insiders say staff under Abramovich faced little pressure to meet targets because the view was that the oligarch would simply write a check at the end of each month to cover debts.

That environment has now changed, with substantial growth seen as essential, especially given the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.