May 31 – With Chelsea Women entering a new era, and Sonia Bompastor replacing Emma Hayes who has already landed in the US for her new role as women’s national team manager, the club has unveiled a long-term strategic plan to develop the women’s team as a stand-alone entity to the men’s team and infrastructure.
The strategic plan follows the agreement between the English Football Association and its professional women’s clubs to create a new and independent company to run the WSL and Championship from next season. Chelsea see this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow their own women’s .
From next season, Chelsea Women will have its own dedicated resources, management and commercial leadership.
The aim is to not only take advantage of the growth of the Women’s game, but also to attract more investment opportunities for Chelsea Women specifically.
Chelsea revealed that BDT & MSD Partners has been brought in as financial advisor on a potential minority investment in the club.
Investment seems to be the primary objective of the Women’s team, as they remain transfixed on infrastructure, training facilities and player development to lay a firm foundation to ‘cement Chelsea Women’s position as a leading force within the women’s game over the next decade and beyond’.
The club picked up the ‘Best Club of the Year’ title at the Women’s Football Awards in London on Thursday night despite narrowly missing out on the WSL title to Manchester City, adding fuel to their drive for growth in campaigns to come.
Chief operating 0fficer Jason Gannon said: “Industry-leading infrastructure is key to any team achieving success. In this new era for Chelsea Women, the team will have the support and resources necessary to illustrate our commitment to excellence on and off the field.”
Commercial director Zarah Al-Kudcy echoed these comments, adding: “We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a club in the women’s game over many years now and, at this pivotal moment in the history of the sport, we want to take our work to the next level by unlocking the long-term potential of the team.
“Dedicated resources and facilities are precisely what women’s football needs and deserves to fulfil the enormous opportunities within the game. Further investment only underlines how seriously Chelsea values women’s football and the benefits of this will be seen in the many years to come.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1720353777labto1720353777ofdlr1720353777owedi1720353777sni@g1720353777niwe.1720353777yrrah1720353777