ROMAN ABRAMOVICH’S shock Chelsea exit leaves six trustees in charge.
Here’s our look at a dramatically-different power centre for the Blues – including chairman Bruce Buck and women’s team manager Emma Hayes.
Chelsea owner and Russian billionaire Abramovich handed over ‘stewardship and care’ due to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
And that thrusts six figures into the limelight ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final with Liverpool.
New Yorker Buck has been a Chelsea fan since 1983, while Hayes has bossed the Blues’ women to the Double during her ten-year reign.
John Devine is Head of the Sports Team at law firm Muckle LLP and equality campaigner Piara Powar used to be Chief Executive of Kick It Out.
Completing the half-dozen are Chelsea’s Director of Finance Paul Ramos and lifelong Blues’ fan Sir Hugh Robertson, vice-chairman of the British Olympic Association.
Here’s our full low-down on the extraordinary off-field changes at Stamford Bridge.
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BRUCE BUCK
The US lawyer was educated at Colgate University and Columbia University School of Law. He has supported the Blues since arriving in London 39 years ago. Buck is a shareholder in the club’s ultimate owner, through which Roman Abramovich took control of Chelsea in 2003.
In his era the Blues achieved new heights, with five titles, five FA Cup triumphs and finally Champions League glory in 2021.
Buck founded Chelsea’s Past Players’ Trust, helping their ex-stars and staff who need medical or financial help. Away from football, he was rated one of the UK’s two most high-profile lawyers by The Lawyer in 2009.
EMMA HAYES
Chelsea women’s manager since 2012, she won the FA Cup and Super League double three years later.
The Londoner, 45, was made an MBE in 2016, having previously been assistant first-team coach at Arsenal Ladies when they won 11 major trophies.
JOHN DEVINE
A partner in the Sports Team at law firm Muckle LLP, he works with a huge range of sports and governing bodies.
An amateur footballer and cyclist, Devine has advised fellow Premier League clubs and the EFL on how to boost community sports and education matters.
He also helps the PFA with players setting up charitable foundations.
PIARA POWAR
The executive director of anti-discrimination and social inclusion network FARE, he is also the former Chief Executive of Kick It Out.
FARE tackles inequality and exclusion in football
PAUL RAMOS
Chelsea’s financial supremo has been with the club since September 2001.
After being Director of Finance he became Head in February 2018.
Ramos was educated at Holloway Boys School.
SIR HUGH ROBERTSON
Perhaps the best-known of the six – although not for football reasons.
Sir Hugh is the vice-chair of the British Olympic Association and former Conservative Minister for both Sport and of the Olympics, notably overseeing London 2012.
He joined the Blues’ Board of Trustees in 2016.
A former officer in The Life Guards, he was MP for Faversham and Mid Kent for 14 years and joined Chelsea’s Board of Trustees in 2016.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk