True to this reputation, Marina Granovskaia’s Chelsea is now apparently gone. As director since 2013, Marina Granovskaia is about to quit Chelsea, having not done a single newspaper interview nor relied upon relationships with journalists who have covered her club regularly. Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, who joined in 2003, is to follow chairman Bruce Buck out of Stamford Bridge as Chelsea’s new regime takes shape.
Chairman Bruce Buck is to resign, with new co-owner Todd Boehly poised to replace him, with Marina Granovskaia, a highly experienced Blues head negotiator, expected to follow, bringing about a significant change in direction at the club following the departure of Roman Abramovich. Marina Granovskaia is now thought to be readying herself for Chelsea’s release, with Boehly/Clearlake Capital Consortium continuing their rebuild at the West London club.
On the men’s side of Chelsea, confidantes Roman Abramovich is heavily involved in making new signings and renewing or selling existing team players. Granovskaia has long been involved in Roman Abramovich Chelsea. Petr Cech is in charge of providing soccer knowledge for decision-makers within the club, and Roman Abramovich’s confidante seems ultimate to target players and make sure deals are done. While Roman Abramovich’s ownership trusts Petr Cech at Chelsea, he does not necessarily share the same connections with Director Marina Granovskaia or chairman Bruce Buck. He may be a valuable asset for a club’s would-be new employers during the transition.
There has been no confirmation on what his additional managerial duties would be. Still, given that they would be coming to Chelsea, Marina Granovskaia is probably now the most influential woman in football, too. News of her departure may signal a clean break at Chelsea and respect. However she is, Granovskaias famous connection with Roman Abramovich’s company will always present Chelsea with a tricky, awkward tie-up should she remain. Referring back to an earlier article by Leigh in The Daily Telegraph, Marina Granovskaia was instrumental in the return of Jose Mourinho to Chelsea and, according to Neil Ashton in The Daily Mail, has enjoyed a strong relationship with certain players at Chelsea. It is safe to assume that if Marina Granovskaia was the person who brought Jose Mourinho back, she is not likely to look for a job as a head coach anytime soon, particularly given Chelsea’s current success enjoying.
She has broken barriers and the glass ceiling, becoming one of the most influential women in soccer. Some deals are favourable, such as Marina Granovskaias negotiated fee for Eden Hazard, which rose from PS89m to PS146m, despite having just a year left on his contract at Chelsea.