It's the end of an era at Chelsea.
The club, whose sale to American Todd Boehly and his group of investors was finalized on May 30, announced on Thursday that it was separating from its general manager, Marina Granovskaia.
The Russian, right arm and trusted wife of the former owner Roman Abramovich, had gradually joined the club's board of directors from 2010. In 2014, she took the position of general manager.
The 47-year-old leader had acquired a reputation for being an uncompromising, but also very competent negotiator.
“Chelsea and Ms. Granovskaia have agreed that she will remain at the disposal of Boehly and the club for the duration of the transfer window, the time necessary to ensure the transition”, explains the press release posted on the Blues website.
The American businessman, appointed chairman of the board of directors, will himself act as interim sports director during the summer transfer window.
The departure of the president announced on Monday
The press release also confirms Thomas Tuchel and Emma Hayes, his counterpart at the head of the Chelsea women's team, in their functions since the two technicians are mentioned by name.
"We look forward to supporting Thomas Tuchel, Emma Hayes and their teams, and will provide proactive and unyielding support to make loyal Chelsea fans and our partners proud," said Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano, two of the new co-owners. .
These announcements follow the departure announced Monday of President Bruce Buck, in place since 2003, and come less than a month after the takeover of the club for 4.5 billion euros.
Chelsea went up for sale in early March, days before Roman Abramovich, its owner since 2003, was sanctioned by the British government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The British government considers Abramovich to be a member of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle.
The oligarch is also the target of sanctions from the European Union.
