7 January, 2026 Micheal Nzubechi 0 Comments

According to The Athletic’s recent report, a snap survey by Chelsea Supporters’ Trust has revealed that over 90 per cent of fans do not have confidence in “the ownership group’s football-related decision-making”, while more than 80 per cent are not confident that the club is being run in a way that will deliver “sustained success over the next three to five years”.

The vote closed at 23:59 UK time on Sunday, by which point The Athletic had reported that Liam Rosenior was the leading contender to replace Enzo Maresca as head coach after Chelsea and the Italian parted ways less than two years into his contract.

On Tuesday, Rosenior was confirmed as the current ownership group’s fourth permanent managerial appointment since 2022 on a six-year contract.

The survey, which garnered nearly 4,000 responses in 48 hours, also found that more than 40 per cent of respondents felt the club’s current sporting structure is “not fit for purpose”, with a further 42.69 per cent believing it has “significant weaknesses”.

The most damning response was surely in relation to satisfaction with the owners’ football decisions, with 53.7 per cent of respondents having “no confidence at all” and 36.9 per cent “not very much confidence”.

Similarly, 46.3 per cent of respondents expressed “no confidence at all” in the club’s sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, as well as the recruitment and football operations teams, with 40.6 per cent having “not very much confidence”.

Analysis of the voting described “clearer football leadership and accountability” as what respondents viewed to be the “overwhelming top priority” for the club to work on.

“The CST believes the findings highlight a material and ongoing confidence gap between the club and its supporters,” the Trust’s statement said on Tuesday. “As a first and necessary step, we urge the club to provide further information and rationale.

“While the strength of feeling reflected in the results may be uncomfortable, the themes identified are not new. They have been evident over a sustained period and have persisted even during times of on-pitch success, indicating that these concerns relate to confidence, clarity and trust rather than short-term results or isolated events.”

Chelsea are owned by BlueCo, the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital consortium that also owns Ligue 1 side Strasbourg. On Tuesday, the French club’s supporters also expressed displeasure at the way their club is run, calling for their club president’s exit after the “humiliating” departure of Rosenior.

In addition to the head coach, 12 players have transferred between the clubs since their joint ownership was completed in 2023.

Chelsea are fifth in the Premier League, having maintained their position with a 1-1 draw against Manchester City with under-21s coach Calum McFarlane in the dugout

Category: new, Sports

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