Todd Boehly has shrugged off growing fan criticism and played down the reported rift between Chelsea’s co-owners, insisting the club is “moving forward and getting things done”.
Boehly is the face of a consortium which owns a 38.5 per cent stake in Chelsea, with Clearlake Capital holding the majority 61.5 per cent share.
Earlier this season, there were widespread reports of a power struggle at the top of the club. It was understood that both parties were open to buying the other out but that neither was interested in a sale.
Sources insisted at the time that talk of a breakdown in working relations was wide of the mark, but with both owners holding a veto on major decisions there were concerns that any tension could lead to an impasse around key projects such as the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge.
Speaking on Thursday at the Financial Times’s Business of Football Summit, however, Boehly tried to allay those fears.
“The one thing I’ve learned about the British press is they exaggerate a lot and leave stuff out,” he said. “I am not going to comment.
“We have agreed on a strategy and a way forward and stuff is getting done. And I don’t look in the rear-view mirror.”
Asked, however, whether Chelsea’s ownership structure would still be the same in a year’s time, Boehly replied: “Listen, I can’t predict the future. If I could, I wouldn’t be here talking to you.”
Chelsea’s owners were the target of a protest held ahead of Tuesday night’s victory over Southampton, with around 200 supporters making their discontent known outside the Bridge and many chanting the name of former owner Roman Abramovich.
One banner featured a cartoon mock up of Boehly next to the words “Wanted for crimes against Chelsea: Clearlake and BlueCo”. BlueCo was the investment vehicle formed to facilitate the takeover in 2022.
“I just think it is par for the course,” said Boehly of the protest. “The sooner you learn you are not going to keep all the people happy all the time, the freedom shows up.
“We are just trying to execute a plan and recognise things aren’t linear, and we are trending in the right direction. The trend is moving in the right direction and that’s the thing that really matters.
“In June, it will be three years in charge. That’s not a lot of time, especially when you get to 50, 60 or 70 years old in life. It’s a whirlwind of activity and steep learning curve, but I think that’s also a good thing.”
