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| Xabi Alonso |
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says the club’s ambitions remain firmly focused on competing at the highest level following a major change in its ownership structure
Clearlake Capital has taken full control of Chelsea after reaching an agreement to acquire the stakes previously held by Todd Boehly and director Mark Walter.
Boehly and Walter, together with Clearlake, purchased Chelsea from former owner Roman Abramovich in May 2022 in a deal approved under a sale process overseen by the British government.
Before the latest agreement, Clearlake held a 61.5 percent stake in the Premier League club, while Boehly and Walter controlled much of the remaining shares alongside Swiss businessman Hansjörg Wyss.
Chelsea confirmed that Wyss will continue as an important stakeholder within the ownership group.
Reports from the Financial Times indicated that Boehly and Walter could receive around £950 million ($1.27 billion) for their combined interests, with the transaction valuing Chelsea at approximately £5 billion, including debt.
In a statement issued Thursday, Chelsea reiterated its objectives, saying the club wants to compete at the highest level, win major trophies and establish sustained success.
Alonso, who took charge of Chelsea on July 1, described the ownership change as an important moment for the club.
The former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen coach acknowledged the contribution of the outgoing owners while welcoming Clearlake co-founder Behdad Eghbali's increased control.
Alonso said he has a good working relationship with Eghbali, revealing that Eghbali personally travelled to Madrid to present Chelsea's project to him before he accepted the managerial position.
According to Alonso, everyone at the club understands the long-term objective, although he acknowledged that achieving those targets will require time.
Chelsea have endured an inconsistent period since the 2022 takeover. Their highest Premier League finish during that period was fourth place in the 2024/25 season, when they also won the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup.
Alonso now faces the task of rebuilding Chelsea following a disappointing 10th-place finish in the Premier League last season.
The Blues have made a mixed start to the current campaign, collecting seven points from their opening four league matches and occupying sixth position.
The ownership restructuring also gives Clearlake full control of Chelsea's partner club, French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, after Boehly and Walter sold their interests in the club.
With Clearlake now firmly in control, Chelsea's stated focus remains on competing for major honours and building long-term success.
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