Chelsea file official paperwork as senior exit confirmed
Chelsea have confirmed David Barnard has left his role as a director at Stamford Bridge.
A Companies House submission on Thursday (5 February) revealed Barnard’s position on Chelsea’s board has now been officially terminated.
The 73-year-old, who was appointed to the board in 2007, has been operating as the Blues’ director of football operations and club secretary.
The Daily Telegraph’s Matt Law reported on Thursday that Barnard has taken the decision to retire, having joined Chelsea in 2002.
The club’s board now comprises Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, Jose E. Feliciano, Mark Walter, Hansjorg Wyss, Jonathan Goldstein, Barbara Charone, Lord Daniel Finkelstein OBE and James Pade.
How BlueCo has changed Chelsea’s leadership structure
There have been multiple changes to the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge over the past few years.
BlueCo took over Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in May 2022, with the operation spearheaded by Boehly and Eghbali’s Clearlake Capital.
There has been plenty of movement behind the scenes in recent months after Chelsea confirmed their new business leadership team in September following the departure of chief revenue officer Casper Stylsvig.
Todd Kline is now the president of commercial, Phil Lynch is the new chief digital officer and James Murray has been promoted to chief operating officer, with all three reporting to president Jason Gannon.
Meanwhile, former Liverpool recruiter Dave Fallows was appointed in November as part of a five-man sporting director team at Stamford Bridge.
How Liam Rosenior has started life at Chelsea
The most important change has come in the dugout after Enzo Maresca’s exit was confirmed last month following a breakdown in his relationship with the club’s hierarchy.
The Italian became the fourth manager to leave the London giants since BlueCo took over at Stamford Bridge less than four years ago.
Liam Rosenior has since been appointed as Maresca’s replacement, with the 41-year-old previously working under BlueCo’s multi-club model at Strasbourg.
Rosenior has enjoyed a strong start to life with Chelsea, having claimed six victories in his opening eight games in charge.
That turnaround in form has seen the Blues move up to fifth place in the Premier League table and secure automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Rosenior is now preparing his side to take on struggling Wolves at Molineux on Saturday (7 February).
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