Few Chelsea supporters had ever expected to read such a message. Yet, one that seemed inescapable in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine six days before. Chelsea was being put up for sale by Roman Abramovich, who rebuilt the team and made it into a winning machine.
Part of the statement, which was released one year ago today, said, “I have always made choices with the club’s best interest at heart. “In light of the current circumstances, I have decided to sell the club because I firmly think that doing so will benefit the team’s supporters, employees, sponsors, and business partners.
“The sale of the club won’t be expedited; instead, it will go according to the law. No, I won’t “The sale of the club won’t be expedited; instead, it will go according to the law. I won’t be requesting the repayment of any loans. For me, this has never been about business or money; it’s about my undivided enthusiasm for the team and the game.” Afterward, Abramovich added. “Being a part of Chelsea has been an honor of a lifetime, and I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished together. I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for Chelsea and its fans. I’m grateful, Roman.” At that instant, Chelsea’s life was completely altered. Nonetheless, a lot remained the same. After defeating Luton Town in the FA Cup, Thomas Tuchel and his team had to be ready to play Burnley in the Premier League. The club employees had to carry on as usual.
At that instant, Chelsea’s life was completely altered. Nonetheless, a lot remained the same. After defeating Luton Town in the FA Cup, Thomas Tuchel and his team had to be ready to play Burnley in the Premier League. The club employees had to carry on as usual despite the great uncertainty.
The morning following the publication of Abramovich’s remarks, those who worked at Chelsea’s Cobham training facility gathered. Petr Cech was left to provide some level of confidence in his capacity as technical and performance advisor. Tuchel didn’t think that was very likely.
“How was he able to [provide comfort]? Who could do that? We are unable to foresee the future “explained the German. “No, it was more about the fact that we can continue moving forward and doing what we did in the previous few days. to put athletics first. We still have a lot of privileges despite being employees. Basically, that was the message.”
It makes sense that fans were anxious about what might happen next. The most prosperous time in Chelsea’s history was supervised by Abramovich. There were no unclaimed awards.
I really did feel conflicted, says Daniel Childs. “Here was a person whose money had contributed to some of my happiest memories since boyhood and who had unquestionably changed the club. But there was also the obvious background of an ongoing invasion of a sovereign state, which was connected to the subsequent sanctions.”
Eight days after Abramovich announced his intention to sell Chelsea, and coincidentally on the 117th anniversary of the club’s founding, the UK government slapped penalties on him. The buyout process had already begun with bidders jostling for position, but with the Russian’s assets frozen, Chelsea’s entire existence seemed to be in doubt.
There were immediate repercussions. Staff members were sent home once the Chelsea megastore closed, and freelance work was available.
Chelsea was given a restricted but special license so that it could keep running. As the rest of the season progressed, it was adjusted appropriately, but the level of uncertainty persisted. Tuchel famously brought this up before a Champions League match against Lille.
We have a plane, so we can travel by plane and return by plane, he stated, according to his most recent knowledge. “If not, we will take the train, if not, the bus, and if not, I will drive a seven-seater! And I’ll carry it out! I’ll do it, and we’ll get there, you can count on that.”
During the most challenging time in recent Chelsea history, Tuchel acted like a statesman. Every question posed to him was answered with a mix of authority and grace.
The buyout by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital wasn’t finished until late May, over three months after Abramovich’s comments were made public. All of Tuchel’s players, staff members at the club, and fans were jaded. There was extreme emotional stress.
Childs says, “It was difficult not to sense in those weeks and months that not only were the club’s foundations now in doubt but also that fans were being shamed and criticized for just supporting their club. “That was a strange and stressful time that I never want to go through again.
“But, it did give me a chance to pause, consider what I would like from potential owners, and wrestle with the issues that are most important to me as a mature supporter.
“That win over Newcastle [the first game following Chelsea’s sanction] was one of my most emotional days inside Stamford Bridge. It felt like even despite the turbulence that was to come, every Chelsea fan was there to say, ‘We love Chelsea and always will do, we aren’t going away.'”
On May 28, Abramovich sent Chelsea his final letter as the club had announced earlier that day that a “final and definitive deal” had been struck with Boehly/Clearlake. The Russian made the remark as his final comment.
It stated, “I would want to thank all the club’s previous and present players, staff, and of course supporters for these great years. It has been an honor of a lifetime to be a part of this club. “I’m honored.
On May 28, Abramovich sent Chelsea his final letter as the club had announced earlier that day that a “final and definitive deal” had been struck with Boehly/Clearlake. The Russian made the remark as his final comment.
It stated, “I would want to thank all the club’s previous and present players, staff, and of course supporters for these great years. It has been an honor of a lifetime to be a part of this club. “I’m pleased that the new charitable foundation we’re establishing will now help millions of people as a result of our combined successes. The legacy we have built together is.