Peter Kenyon to Leave Chief Executive Role at Chelsea

Peter Kenyon will leave his role as Chelsea chief executive on October 31, the club has announced.

Kenyon will, however, remain a non-executive director at the club and represent Carlo Ancelotti’s side at various UEFA and European meetings.

The news comes just weeks after Chelsea were banned from making transfers until 2011 by FIFA as punishment for their pursuit of French youngster Gael Kakuta.

In a statement released on the club’s official Web site, Kenyon said, "I am extremely proud of my time at Chelsea, and of the friendships I have forged with everyone here.

"I have been in football for 15 years, and I can say with great certainty and pleasure that 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, 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."

He added, "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."

Chairman Bruce 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 and, although he will not be with us on a permanent basis, he will have an important role to play as a non-executive director and in the various roles he holds in European football bodies."