Chelsea have announced that Peter Kenyon will be leaving his chief executive role at the end of October.
The former Manchester United chief will continue to be a non-executive director and represent the club on various Uefa and European Clubs’ Association committees.
Kenyon, who has spent over five years at Chelsea, intends to take a break from the game before deciding where to go from there.
“I am extremely proud of my time at Chelsea and of the friendships I have forged with everyone here,” he told the club’s official website.
“I have been in football for 15 years and I can say with great certainty and pleasure the experience at Chelsea is one of the best I have had.
“When I joined Chelsea it was an incredible challenge and together with all the staff, the players, the board and Roman (Abramovich), I think we have really built a club, in a relatively short space of time, that can be in the forefront of European football for many years to come. That is a major achievement.
“I am also delighted that our relationship is not ending and I can continue to make a contribution to keeping Chelsea in that position and to go back to visit friends.
“I intend to take a little time off before considering what I do next but I am certain I have at least one major challenge left in me.”
Under owner Roman Abramovich, Kenyon took charge of the business side of the club with the long-term aim of becoming the most profitable and best supported clubs in the world. Although Chelsea have not realised that ambition, Kenyon has been involved in the most successful period in the club’s history.
He helped appoint Jose Mourinho as manager in the summer of 2004 and under the Portuguese coach, Chelsea won the Premier League title in 2005 and 2006 and the FA Cup in 2007.
Chelsea also reached the Champions League final in 2008.
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck hailed Kenyon’s work, stating the club would not be where it is now without him.
Buck said: “Peter has done a fantastic job for Chelsea in the last five-and-a-half years and has been absolutely central to the success on and off the field we have had during that time.
“Without his football knowledge and business acumen Chelsea would not be where we are today. Everyone at Chelsea thanks him for that contribution.
“When Peter first joined us we knew we were recruiting a top executive from business generally, not just football. With that always came a certain inevitability he would eventually want to seek a new challenge and I am sure that is what he will do.
“Whatever his next permanent job we wish him the best of luck in the future. He will always be welcome back at Chelsea.”
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