Laurence Stewart

🚨 Laurence Stewart will leave Chelsea as co-sporting director by mutual consent, as first called by @Matt_Law_DT and @NizaarKinsella. Not an immediate departure, so still expected to be around at some games. Amicable exit that was decided in the last few weeks following talks between Stewart and Behdad Eghbali. Paul Winstanley, Sam Jewell and Joe Shields will now all be sporting directors on equal footing. Shields oversees the Academy and player pathways and many of his day-to-day tasks align with a traditional technical director. Jewell also has wider responsabilities across Strasbourg/BlueCo. Seen as a natural evolution of the sporting model, with discussions over a new structure starting in April and accelerating following the arrival of Xabi Alonso. Eghbali had said in April, "You tweak a model, you improve, you learn...". Stewart had overseen investment in data analysis, but this area of the business has been used more by Jewell and Shields due to their expertise in scouting and talent ID. Dave Fallows remains in his current role, which is more remote and advisory comparative to others in the sporting leadership team.

🚨 Laurence Stewart will leave Chelsea as co-sporting director by mutual consent, as first called by @Matt_Law_DT and @NizaarKinsella. Not an immediate departure, so still expected to be around at some games. Amicable exit that was decided in the last few weeks following talks between Stewart and Behdad Eghbali. Laurence Stewart, Sam Jewell and Joe Shields will now all be sporting directors on equal footing. Seen as a natural evolution of the sporting model. Stewart had overseen investment in data analysis, but this area of the business has been used more by Jewell and Shields due to their expertise in scouting and talent ID. Dave Fallows remains in his current role, which is more remote and advisory comparative to others in the sporting leadership team.