Cech steps down as Chelsea Technical and Performance Advisor

Cech and Granovskaia had combined to perform the duties of a Sporting Director

Cech and Granovskaia had combined to perform the duties of a Sporting Director

PETR CECH has stepped down from his role as Technical and Performance Advisor at Chelsea after three years.

The 40-year-old was appointed in June 2019 to “provide advice on all football and performance matters throughout the club.”

He had performed many of the traditional duties of a Sporting Director and had influence on recruitment, the Academy and first-team support services.

Cech, who played in goal for Chelsea for 11 years and won 13 trophies during that time, said: "It has been a huge privilege to perform this role at Chelsea for the past three years.

“With the club under new ownership, I feel now is the right time for me to step aside. I am pleased that the club is now in an excellent position with the new owners, and I am confident of its future success both on and off the pitch.”

Todd Boehly, who became Chairman and co-controlling owner of the club at the end of May, added: “Petr is an important member of the Chelsea family. We understand his decision to step away and thank him for his contributions as an advisor and his commitment to the club and to our community. We wish him the best.”

Last week it was announced that Boehly would become 'Interim Sporting Director' following the exit of Director Marina Granovskaia after 12 years. The Russian, who had worked for previous owner Roman Abramovich since 1997, was the most senior football figure at the club.

She became Abramovich’s representative at Chelsea in 2010 and joined the Board in 2013. Chelsea have not had an official Sporting Director since Michael Emenalo left in November 2017, but Granovskaia and Cech had split of the duties between themselves.

In contrast, Boehly, who is an investor and businessman, has no experience of the day-to-day running of a sport or football operation. In addition, Chairman Bruce Buck, Chief Executive Guy Laurence and Head of Goalkeeping Christophe Lollichon have also left Chelsea this summer.

Cech will officially leave his position on Thursday.

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