Kenyon to leave Chelsea

Peter Kenyon will leave his post of chief executive at Chelsea at the end of October. It is his decision to leave the £1.25 million per year post (plus bonuses).

Although both he and Chelsea deny a rift, it appears likely that owner Roman Abramovich has gradually pushed Kenyon aside, having grown tired of splits in the Chelsea camp. It seems that Frank Arnesen, Chelsea's new sporting director, may have won the power battle at the club.

It is apparently an old Russian business tactic to give an employee less and less responsibility until the employee himself decides his position is untenable and leaves. In this case, Kenyon is leaving the position on his own terms.

Peter Kenyon joined Chelsea as chief executive in 2003, having left Manchester United, whom he joined in 1997, and became chief executive in 2000. Both United and Chelsea won two league titles under his tenure.

At the 2008 Champions League final, Chelsea attracted criticism when Kenyon led the team up for their losers' medals, whereas Bobby Charlton led Manchester United up for their winners' medals.