Chelsea have officially confirmed that Todd Boehly has stepped down as chairman, selling his ownership stake to Clearlake Capital in a move that hands the private equity firm full control of the club. The announcement was made in a club statement on Wednesday night.
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What the Statement Said
Chelsea confirmed the ownership change in an official statement, announcing that affiliates of Clearlake Capital would acquire Todd Boehly’s ownership interest in the club, with Mark Walter’s stake also being acquired as part of the same transition. Hansjörg Wyss will continue as a stakeholder and partner within the ownership group.
The statement credited Boehly’s chairmanship with helping guide substantial investment across Chelsea’s men’s and women’s senior and youth squads, the club’s Cobham training facilities, medical and player-support resources, and academy development, while confirming that Clearlake intends to continue building on the strategic direction the club is now on.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Outgoing Chairman | Todd Boehly |
| Years at Chelsea | 4 (since May 2022) |
| Buyer | Clearlake Capital Group |
| Also Exiting | Mark Walter (co-owner) |
| Remaining Stakeholder | Hansjörg Wyss |
| Clearlake’s New Ownership Stake | 99.9% |
| Original 2022 Takeover Value | £2.5 billion |
The End of a Four-Year Ownership Chapter
Boehly and Walter first joined Chelsea in May 2022, as part of the consortium that completed a £2.5 billion takeover of the club from Roman Abramovich, a sale mandated by the UK government following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As part of that deal, the ownership group also committed to a further £1.75 billion in investment into the club.
Clearlake had held a 61.5% stake in Chelsea from the outset, with Boehly, Walter, and Wyss splitting the remaining 38.5% between them. With Boehly and Walter now selling their shares, Clearlake’s holding rises to 99.9%, effectively handing full control of the club to Clearlake co-founders Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano.
Reports of friction between Boehly and Eghbali had first surfaced back in 2024, when discussions began over the possibility of one buying out the other. Ownership rules put in place at the time of the original takeover prevented any member of the consortium from selling shares to outside investors during their first ten years of ownership, meaning any exit had to be negotiated internally. Mark Walter’s own desire to step away is understood to have helped move those talks forward, eventually paving the way for both his and Boehly’s departures.
Boehly’s Time at Chelsea
During his four years as chairman, Boehly took an unusually hands-on role at the club, briefly serving as interim sporting director before handing transfer responsibilities to Christopher Vivell and Paul Winstanley. His tenure featured heavy investment in the playing squad, alongside frequent managerial change, including the departures of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, before Mauricio Pochettino and later Enzo Maresca took charge of first-team affairs.
In his parting message, Boehly said he believed Chelsea now had a bright future ahead of it, framing his exit as coming at a point where the club is well positioned for its next phase of development.
What Happens Next
With Clearlake now assuming full operational control of Chelsea, the private equity firm is expected to continue along the strategic path established over the past four years, though further changes to the club’s ownership and leadership structure cannot be ruled out following such a significant shift in control.
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FAQs
Why has Todd Boehly left Chelsea?
Boehly sold his ownership stake to Clearlake Capital, ending his four-year tenure as chairman since the club’s 2022 takeover.
Who now owns Chelsea Football Club?
Clearlake Capital now holds 99.9% of the club, having acquired the shares previously held by Boehly and fellow co-owner Mark Walter.
Is Hansjörg Wyss also leaving Chelsea’s ownership group?
No, Wyss will remain a stakeholder and partner within the ownership structure.
How much did the original Chelsea takeover cost in 2022?
Boehly’s consortium completed a £2.5 billion takeover of the club, with a further £1.75 billion pledged in additional investment.
Why did Todd Boehly and Clearlake’s relationship reportedly break down?
Reports of tension between Boehly and Clearlake co-founder Behdad Eghbali first emerged in 2024, eventually leading to negotiations over a full ownership buyout.
