Chelsea’s co‑owner Behdad Eghbali, a founding partner of the investment firm Clearlake Capital that backs the BlueCo consortium, has opened up about the club’s current direction, the recent departure of former head coach Enzo Maresca, and the future of manager Liam Rosenior. Speaking at the CAA World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles, Eghbali painted a picture of a club in transition that is determined to restore stability, add experienced talent, and ultimately fight for silverware despite a precarious league position. Eghbali began by addressing the club’s policy on coaching changes.
"Our policy has been no in‑season head‑coach changes," he said, emphasizing that any review of the manager, the back‑room staff, or the sporting director is normally reserved for the summer window, not the middle of a campaign. He acknowledged that Maresca’s unexpected exit on New Year’s Day was not a move the owners wanted, and that the sudden shift in coaching philosophy has had a negative impact on the squad’s rhythm.
"When you change systems and personnel mid‑season you create a disruption that we now have to fight our way out of," he explained. Chelsea currently sit four points behind Liverpool, who occupy the fifth spot that guarantees a place in next season’s Champions League.
The Blues have managed only one win in their last seven league matches and have suffered defeats in three consecutive games. Rosenior, who took over after Maresca’s departure, has struggled to reverse the slide, but Eghbali remains confident in his long‑term potential. "We have six Premier League games left and an FA Cup semi‑final," he noted. "The story of this season isn’t finished yet.
When you get punched in the face you have to get back up and fight – that will show the character of this squad." The co‑owner highlighted the need for stability, particularly on the managerial front. "Getting that stability on the manager side is something we haven’t done right yet, and it’s a priority for us," he said.
Eghbali praised Rosenior’s work ethic and familiarity with the club, noting that the owners have worked with him daily for more than 18 months and therefore understand his strengths. "He has every attribute to succeed here. He got off to a great start, we’ve hit a rough patch, but we think we’re behind Liam. It’s a results business, but we believe he can deliver over the long term," Eghbali added.
When asked about the club’s transfer philosophy, Eghbali reiterated a youth‑focused approach but admitted that the current phase of the project requires the addition of seasoned, "ready‑made" players. "The view was to recruit and build elite players that can be together and provide stability," he said, describing the process as being in the "40th, 50th minute" of a longer journey. He explained that the ultimate aim is to retain, extend and compensate some of the world’s best talents, targeting a core group of eight to fifteen elite players capable of delivering sustained success year after year. "We have done a few things right and a lot of things right, but we need to improve on a few areas by adding more ready‑made players at this stage of the project to take it to the next level and be consistent over time," he asserted.
Eghbali also responded to growing unrest among some sections of the fan base. A small group of Chelsea supporters has announced plans to join Strasbourg fans in a demonstration against the owners before the upcoming home match against Manchester United. Eghbali reassured fans that BlueCo remains fully committed to a robust ownership strategy that mirrors the ambition of former owner Roman Abramovich.
"We care about the fans and we want the club to be successful on the pitch," he said. "Six months ago everyone was super‑happy. Results have been mixed and disappointing lately, so we are reflecting on what we can do better. There is a plan, we are tweaking it if it isn’t working, and the message is that we are committed." He stressed that success cannot be measured without trophies.
"Can this be successful without winning? The answer is no. We have to win. It doesn’t mean we will win every game or never make mistakes, but the objective for a club like Chelsea is to win trophies consistently," he declared.
He reminded listeners that the club had achieved a major trophy the previous season, and although this year has been marked by ups and downs, the overarching goal remains unchanged. In summary, Eghbali’s remarks outline a clear roadmap: maintain managerial stability, reinforce the squad with experienced signings, continue to develop young talent, and keep the fan base engaged while striving for the silverware that defines Chelsea’s identity. The coming weeks, with six league fixtures and a crucial FA Cup semi‑final, will be a decisive period for the Blues as they attempt to climb back into the Champions League places and restore confidence among supporters and stakeholders alike.