Tom Glick, a former chief executive at parent company Manchester City FC, will take over the day-to-day running of Chelsea Football Club following a £2.5 billion takeover.
Sky News has learned that Mr Glick’s appointment could be announced within the next few days by Chelsea’s new owners, although it is not yet clear if he will take over as chief executive on Friday.
His arrival will follow a removal of Chelsea’s long-standing executive hierarchy by the club’s new owners – a consortium majority owned by Clearlake Capital and led by Todd Boehly, part owner of the LA Dodgers.
In recent weeks, Bruce Buck, the club’s veteran chairman and staunch ally of former owner Roman Abramovich, has resigned along with Marina Granovskaia, the club’s longtime director.
The recruitment of Mr Glick will bring in an executive with extensive experience in English football.
He was chief executive of Derby County FC from 2008 to 2012, when the Rams were an established Premier League and the financial turmoil cast doubt on its future.
Mr. Glick went on to become the commercial director of City Football Group, the holding company of Manchester City and teams in countries around the world.
More recently, he’s had a spell as president of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers outfit.
He has also been linked with a working role with John Textor, who owns a large stake in Crystal Palace and has just agreed a deal to buy French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais.
A Chelsea spokesman declined to comment on Mr Glick’s future appointment.
If confirmed, it would be the latest component of an overhaul planned by the club’s new owners, with the new Premier League season just a month away.
Last week, Mr Boehly and Clearlake announced a new boardroom lineup that includes Lord Finkelstein, the columnist for The Times, and Jonathan Goldstein, a business ally of Mr Boehly, a devoted Tottenham Hotspur fan. .
“As custodians of Chelsea FC, we set out to execute on our long-term vision and plans for the club, creating an outstanding experience for our loyal, passionate fans and continuing our efforts. continue to challenge to win top honors in keeping with Chelsea FC’s decorated history,” Mr. Boehly said.
“Working together, side by side, we are committed to winning, both on and off the pitch. For us, that effort has already begun.”
Under the deal they took control of, Chelsea’s new shareholders will not be paid dividends or receive management fees for a decade under a package of measures designed to avoid the controversies that have struck Manchester. United since the Glazers took over in 2005.
They also pledged to invest £1.75 billion in the Blues’ academy, women’s team and home stadium at Stamford Bridge.
Proceeds from the sale of Chelsea have been donated to a new charity that is being set up to benefit the victims of the war in Ukraine.
