Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has voiced his support for the club’s long-term vision, describing their ambitions as “very clear” in the wake of significant changes to the ownership structure. The transition follows an announcement that private equity firm Clearlake Capital will acquire the full stakes previously held by Todd Boehly and fellow director Mark Walter.
This shift in control marks the end of a partnership that began in May 2022, when the American billionaires collaborated with Clearlake to purchase the London club from Roman Abramovich during a process mandated by the British government. Previously, Clearlake held a 61.5 percent stake, with the remainder shared between Boehly, Walter, and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss. Official communications confirm that Wyss will maintain his role as an important partner within the ownership group.
The financial scale of the departure is substantial. Reports indicate that Boehly and Walter are set to receive approximately 950 million pounds, or 1.27 billion dollars, for their shares. The deal values the club at roughly five billion pounds, inclusive of debt. As part of this comprehensive restructuring, the duo has also relinquished their interests in the French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, ceding full control to Clearlake.
For Alonso, who took the helm on July 1 with a mandate to restore the club’s competitiveness after a disappointing 10th-place finish last season, the change represents a significant moment. Despite not being part of the original takeover, he acknowledged the contribution of the departing owners, stating they played a vital role in the club’s history.
Addressing the press ahead of the upcoming Premier League fixture against Brentford, the Spanish coach emphasized his strong working relationship with Clearlake’s Behdad Eghbali. He noted that Eghbali was instrumental in his recruitment, and he expressed satisfaction with the consolidation of power at the ownership level.
The club has reiterated its goals in a formal statement, emphasizing the intent to compete at the elite level, secure major trophies, and establish a legacy of consistent success. Since the 2022 acquisition, the team’s performance has fluctuated, highlighted by a fourth-place finish in 2024/25 alongside victories in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
While Chelsea has experienced a varied start to the current campaign, earning seven points from their opening four matches to sit sixth in the table, Alonso remains focused on the long road ahead. He admitted that success requires patience but maintained that the clarity of the club’s direction remains unshakable.
The outgoing owners leave behind a sporting portfolio that includes co-ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Walter recently finalized the sale of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise for 12.5 billion dollars. The report also notes that who started at Chelsea on July 1, told reporters that the change was “an important day for the club”, blues boss Alonso.
