Chelsea Announce the Departure of Cheif Executive Peter Kenyon

Chelsea have announced that chief executive Peter Kenyon will leave his full-time role at Stamord Bridge at the end of next month.

Kenyon, who left Manchester United in 2003 to join the Blues, will depart his current role on Oct. 31 but will continue to represent Chelsea in various capacities, including committee roles with UEFA.

Kenyon said: "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."

"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 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."

"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."

Kenyon is generally perceived as man driven by money, money and more money. His controversial departure from Manchester United to join cash-rich Chelsea, was the first sign of his money driven ambition.

Not many men can unite the fans of United and Chelsea, but this chief executive did on the first meeting between the two sides after the move: “Kenyon, you’re a bastard,” was the chant.

United fan's hostility was understandable and natural—he had deserted their club and one of the first people to be lured to Chelsea by Abramovic's money. We, Chelsea fans, resented his treatment of Claudio Ranieri, the clubs manager at the time and a fans favourite.

One of the first things he did at Chelsea, was to sign long-term Manchester United target Arjen Robben and with that his once excellent relationship with Alex Ferguson went down the drain.

Kenyon has never been far away from controversy and the Ashley Cole affair was the tip of the iceberg as far the Kenyon and controversy are concerned.

Kenyon and Mourinho "just happened" to walk into a restaurant for a meeting with Pini Zahavi and saw Cole seated with their appointment. 

If we go by Ashley Cole's explanation in his autobiography, it was still avoidable. These are supposed to be top professionals. Ashley Cole being an Arsenal player and Mourinho and Kenyon being top officials at rivals Chelsea, they must have known it would be a bad idea to sit at the same table.

All three people involved in that scandal, to this day, deny any wrong-doing.

Then we have the more recent incident—The Champions League Final.

If ever one moment summed up the contrast between the heritage and history of Manchester United and Chelsea, it came on that fatal Wednesday night. United’s winning presentation party was led by the distinguished and respected Bobby Charlton, a staunchly one-club man who modestly declined to place a winner’s medal around his neck.

Chelsea’s was preceded by Peter Kenyon, a chief executive!!

This was the most self-centred act I've ever witnessed in football. Sir Bobby Charlton, England's all-time leading goalscorer, declined his medal with dignity, in the knowledge that he hadn't played a part in the match.

Peter Kenyon, merely the face of Chelsea's corporate machine, couldn't wipe the smirk off his face as he collected his "losers" medal.

Absolutely shameful.

Chelsea 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."

"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."

Although, no Chelsea fan would be sad to see him leave, it has definitely come at the worst time possible—in the wake of FIFA ban that Chelsea were slammed with recently.

Is Kenyon jumping ship? Maybe so, now that there is a transfer ban there is absolutely no use for him as he was only there to tie up sponsorship deals and "tap up players."

What's the betting that he ends up with Manchester City? Probably the biggest mercenary in the game today bar none.

GOOD RIDDANCE!