Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has spoken about his dynamic with co-owner Behdad Eghbali following a significant shift in the club’s ownership structure.
The development comes as Clearlake Capital secured near-total control of the west London club after purchasing the remaining shares held by Todd Boehly and Mark Walter.
The Clearlake consortium, led by Eghbali and fellow co-owner Jose E.
Feliciano, expanded their influence at Stamford Bridge following the departure of Boehly and Walter, who each divested their 12.8 percent stakes in the Blues.
Swiss businessman Hansjorg Wyss continues to hold a position as a significant stakeholder within the ownership group.
Eghbali assumed a prominent leadership role at Chelsea following the consortium’s acquisition of the club in 2022.
The California-based investor was instrumental in convincing Alonso to take the managerial position at Stamford Bridge last May, engaging in extensive dialogue with the highly regarded coach through numerous telephone calls and face-to-face meetings.
Alonso expressed satisfaction with the operational framework at the club, describing the current arrangement as aligned with his preferred working methods.
The former midfielder acknowledged the significance of the ownership transition, stating that substantial changes to a club’s structure and ownership represent important moments in its history.
Alonso noted that the initial phase of the squad reconstruction project had concluded and expressed confidence in progressing collectively moving forward.
Regarding his professional relationship with Eghbali, Alonso emphasised its fundamental importance while clarifying that no single individual possesses absolute authority over all club decisions.
Additional phases of the project remain ahead.
In public remarks, Boehly conveyed appreciation for his partnership with Clearlake while expressing conviction that the club stands well-placed for sustained achievement under the investment firm’s direction.
Eghbali and Feliciano issued a joint statement confirming that daily operations, leadership structures, and strategic direction would remain unchanged.
The ownership group characterised the transaction as marking a pivotal moment and opening a new era for Chelsea.