ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Chelsea- Kenyon Quits

Posted by Andy Thornton on 09/17/2009

On Wednesday our beloved Commercial Director Peter Kenyon quit. Whilst I never particularly liked or trusted Kenyon as a person (least of all when he led the team up and wore a losers medal with pride at the Champs League Final in Moscow), but you can't help but think that he will be a massive loss to the club.

Obviously having come from Manchester United he had the big ideas that come from being at one of the biggest clubs in the world. The fact that we are up there now as one of the biggest and best is testament to the amount of work he has done.

Having poached a well-respected executive with a whole black-book of useful contacts, Abramovich was able to start to make waves in world football.

It was Kenyon who managed to get Mourinho in, and trusted him, and it was Kenyon who negotiated some of the big deals that have brought in fantastic players. Admittedly along the way there have been errors from Kenyon - the Ashley Cole debacle didn't do us any favours - and maybe Shevchenko and Ballack were poor signings, but Essien, Cech, and Drogba have become stalwarts of the Chelsea team.

Any club can rely on Abramovich's £578m in interest-free loans, but Kenyon was brought in to try and get the club profitable, and paying Roman his money back.

The significant investment in players and image branding allowed Kenyon to renegotiate our sponsors and kit-makers (we even paid off Nike in order to sign up with Adidas), and it was this that led to some of the biggest commercial deals in Chelsea's history. Similar contracts with Sky (for the 'Next Football Star' - which also saw Scott Sinclair join the playing staff), the Indian FA, the Chinese FA, etc have led to Chelsea becoming a world force. Sell-out tours of America have proved it.

Ok, so Kenyon hasn't yet managed to get profitability, but that is all in hand - the number of quality teenagers that have been brought in should mean that Chelsea remain competitive even if they are banned from any transfers until January 2011. I think we owe Kenyon a lot more than many fans are willing to make out.

The big question is who will replace him - Arnesen doesn't have the same commercial acumen, which can only mean bringing in another guy to negotiate deals (AC Milan's old one, who used to work with Carlo Ancelotti?) and few will be able to do it better than Kenyon.

Comments

Posted by KOLAWOLE IBRAHIM ADETUNJI. on 09/17/2009

The match is not a perfect one,but the important was that we salvaged the three points and one other opponets played out a barren draw.but we missed double D".

Posted by HOCUS POCUS on 09/17/2009

i guess we can actually be grateful to Kenyon for his work rate here at CHELSEAFC. no one can do it all. we must give him kudos for a job well done. but then, replacing him will definitely be a heculian task. who can combine his charismatic leadership with that of overturning our huge debt base? i wonder! i just wonder!!

Posted by Chandler on 09/17/2009

I don't think "quit" is the right word... And as for Ballack, he wasnt a bad signing, he came in on a free transfer. He has contributed to Chelsea in many competitions.

Posted by ibeh victor on 09/17/2009

Mr.kenyon has obviously done well i wish he did not have to resign at this time,because chelsea is on the verge of doing something great this time,but all the same,life goes on.chelsea must remain focus and make this season a memorable for them,to we all chelsea fan.focus is the key
victor ibeh(Nigeria)

Posted by Bankole Elisha on 09/17/2009

not too bad for kenyon to quit,i think it a time for effective change in chelseafc now,so let the next man that will be in charge now to work harder, no failure of signing player just like kenyon did when he want to sign Robinho from Real. so we need a fast and sharp person.

Posted by kingsley on 09/17/2009

shevchenco was a failure but you cannot have it all.I say kudos to Big chief for the good work done in Chelsea.

Posted by Anonymous on 09/18/2009

Good to see you starting to write some more Andy!! Anyway I was just wondering.. how much impact will the new Chief Executive have on the running of Chelsea Andy??
I like the way the team is playing with the diamond and I think we might actually win it this season! It will depend on how Man United react at the buisnesss end of the season

Posted by Tiger on 09/18/2009

I agreed with Chandler in respect to Ballack.

Posted by trevor on 09/18/2009

Herr Ballack was definitely a good signing.

Posted by Rockson Amponsah on 09/18/2009

Iwas happy to see j.cole warming up when chelsea was about to play fc porto.i guest the coach will give him more playing time and i believe that he can delever for the true blues.i am here in ghana praying for the team and all the staffs in the team.i am also praying that this maneger can help us to win champions league if not now maybe next year.

Posted by Roz on 09/18/2009

@ Andy
Yeah, Kenyon is a good businessman, but I'm pretty pleased to see the back of him TBH. His unsavoury transfer dealings have dirtied the name of chelsea. And I may be wrong (Please correct if I am), but did you mean pay off Umbro as kit manufacturer, in favour of Adidas? And the football icon winners were Sam Hurrell (Season 1, and no longer at the club) & Carl Magnay (season 2). Scott Sinclair was transferred from Bristol Rovers.

Posted by Phil Price on 09/18/2009

My shirts say UMBRO not nike

Posted by Sunday Adejoh on 09/18/2009

Commercial acumen,Administrator extraordinaire,Diplomat-per-excellence, just to mention a few, are what Kenyon epitomized, and there`s no doubting that this got us where we are today. It`s always painful to see people like this go but sometimes,that`s what life`s about;challenges. There`s Gourlay now(though I barely know him before now) which I think is a smart choice for continuity sake. All said, I wish Kenyon all the best in his feature endeavours( I hope to meet him and will be a priviledge to work for or understudy him)while urging the entire set up of the bridge to keep the flag flying.

Posted by chukii on 09/18/2009

no one can replace kenyon.....i actually think we need to replace our strategy and balance our books before UEFA starts kicking out teams with bad debts from the Champs League

Posted by andrew ojatabu(nigeria) on 09/18/2009

its obvious peter got intoxicated with excess money at his disposal,but that happens whenyou do dubious business with excess cash,they(chelsea)started splashint too much money on football,now that other clubs has folloed suit,they cant keep with the fire power cos,the cash flow wont come,sorry chelsea!

Posted by saheed on 09/19/2009

Kenyon did a great job but i'm sure roman or kenyon himself had reasons to part ways. News on this will unfold soon.

The good news is, it offers an opportunity a another veteran/talent to prove him/herself and take cfc to the next level.

by the way we didnt pay-off nike, we paid-off umbro.

Also, Ballack was not a poor signing, have u ever wondered why he keeps playing under several coaches. besides we got a german captain for free, how cheap can that get.

I still dont know why a whole of people think kenyon should not have lead the team in collecting the loser's medal in moscow. He probably tried to offer moral support win or loose.

Posted by jason on 09/19/2009

i think you guys paid off umbro, not nike.

Posted by James L on 09/19/2009

Bring in Rick Parry. He's the next big club CEO available. I think he did well at Liverpool, only that the new American owners could not get along with him there

Posted by Rightfooter on 09/19/2009

You are giving Peter Kenyon credit for the signing of players when that is solely a matter for the manager to claim!

Being then given huge wads of cash to put name to contract is hardly credit-claim worthy.

Instead, a CEO at a football club is supposed to stay out of sight and (preferably) not make any high profile gaffes, whether in his personal capacity or that of his staff on the Chelsea payroll.

On that note, he had been a huge liability to Chelsea, meetings with Ashley Cole/Rio Ferdinand , the payout of 12 million quid to Obi Mikel, Arnesen's shenanigans with youth players... all pointing to things he should not have done or should have done better.

A good CEO at a football club is defined as ... the less seen/heard the better. & if he is heard, it should be for success regarding commercial matters only. His successor at Man Utd, David Gill, is the best example.

Posted by lanre on 09/20/2009

I'm an Arsenal fan but I've alot of respect for the work Kenyon has done at Chelsea.great article Andy.

Posted by Tanmay on 09/20/2009

How can Ballack be considered a poor signing?I stll think he is a classic example of this Chelsea side of the last 6-7 years:Strong,excellent work rate,solid in midfield.

Posted by Paul on 09/21/2009

I think Kenyon has had a great deal to do with Chelsea's ascendency to the top of English football. He left Manchester United & went to Chelsea & single-handedly established them as a European powerhouse that easily qualifies for the semi-final stages of the Champions league which both raises the clubs profile & is a money spinner in terms of gate receipt & television coverage & merchandising. As for Ballack, he is the German team captain, he was a great addition, Shevchenko, was an imposition from the boss, which did not work out. Sorry to describe the fallen God of strikers..like that, but its a fact.

Posted by Rishav on 09/21/2009

for his inconsistency, at a consistent 130000 a week, Ballack is a bad signing.

Posted by ISRAEL MAYOR on 09/21/2009

It's a pity that hardworking people are quitting the teams that needs them most at the wrong time but may be mr kenyon

Posted by Tony on 09/21/2009

Your piece shows that you know absolutely nothing. Paid off Nike? Shouldn't that be Umbro? Arnesen as Chief Executive? What a load of nonsense.
I guess your next guess would have been Jose Mourinho as CE! By the way, Chelsea have already appointed a new CE.
Just go have a lay down sunshine, before you hurt yourself.

Posted by Eva on 09/21/2009

I think he did a very good job at Chelsea
Anyway life go's on for him with or without chelsea. all the best kenyon

Eva

Posted by mike on 09/21/2009

Peter Kenyon should have been relieved of his duties as chief exec after the Robinho scandal.On top of selling Wright phillips back to city so they can make a 10 million pound profit ohh yeah throw in Bridge to for nada,great transfer policy.This guy was a joke from the minute he stepped in and i still beleive his only good buy was Arjen Robben and well we all know about that one.I for one am glad to see the back of Peter Kenyon just wish hed been sacked last year.

Posted by Claver Serumaga on 09/21/2009

True some mistakes were made but judging from our current position,brand stature and state of the team, I think we have never been better. This is thanks to the man who has been able to put it together for sometime.Lets spare him some slack.

Posted by Keyhan on 09/21/2009

Ballack a poor signing? I didn't think I had missed any Chelsea games, but I mussed have if he's considered poor.

Posted by Simon Walton on 09/23/2009

"Our Beloved Kenyon" "I've been a Chelsea supporter all my life" If you were not so shallow you might make me sick, but i am of stronger stuff than that my little whipper snapper!!!

The Chelsea i grew up loving did not accept turn coat Manc scum like Kenyon (grew up supporting City, worked for Un*&ed and all in all is a cooperate mercenary WHORE, would do anything for anyone for a sheckel)

Love what TONY says, so will not repeat, read for yourself.

I am upset the way my beloved Chels has gone with Yanks who call our sport "soccer" running things for a dollar and a power crazy self obsessed Arnesen.

Chelsea supporters of 30-40 years unable to obtain tickets by showing support in the time honoured tradition of getting up at the crack of dawn and queing up outside the Shed for Wembley tickets instead of Kenyon's cooperate corruption and the fiasco of the prawn sandwich final.

Progress at The Bridge means families of Germans from Deutcshebank there for spectacle and free occasion!!!

Posted by chimezie on 09/23/2009

i love chelsea becouse of roman,kenyon has try but we can give another person chance,try and sign totenham no 7 english player,he is a great player that drive defenders like arjen rubben,bosingwa anelka transmission is good, ballack sterngth is reducing, ancelotti knows the work but should be standing and shouting to preasure the guys sometimes like mourinho,,,,,,i can be ask to predict any match and i can get 8 out of 10 mathes answer correct,,, mezie, south africa

Posted by chimezie on 09/23/2009

Posted by M.T.Hillary on 09/24/2009

Hi All.i am a bloody chelsea fan,i love chelseafc so much.the trut is that,i will really miss kenyon.i wish you good luck.i am pleasing all the executives and the (C.E.O)to work together with the new manager Ancelotti.i also wish all the players the best season.i know this year is a great year for chelseafc,many trophy.Now for ancelotti, i love the formation we play,but lets try to play from wick not mildfield only,please let correct our mistakes for now.yes i know mourinho is a great coach but for let forget about him in chelsea plesea.for the players we has a lot great players likes terry,lampard, drogba, essien, mikel, A.cole,j.cole,ballack and other.i hope the players will make us proud this season.
THANKS EVERYONE,I REMAIN,M.T.HILLARY.
FROM NIGERIAN.

Posted by ELE BONGO on 09/25/2009

I think loosing mr Kenyon is a terible blow to all and saundry in the chelsea fc.But whatever life goes on.I am wondering why Mikel Obi is not getting the starting shirt any longer here in chelsea,though i know it's gonna be like that,because of our new coach,he is an adict with old men.But i think Mikel is a better player to Micheal Ballack right now.Let's give our young stars in chelsea more playing times as is the case with mr Wenger in Arsenal.What ever i am not here to dictate for the coach.I wish my club the best.And it will be lovely watching them lift the premier league once again,cause they deserve it more than any other team in the premiership.I am packaging a song for my darling team cfc.They are the best in the world.I love them so much.One love CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB

Posted by kawesa Godfrey on 09/25/2009

Ballack not poor singning!!!!

Posted by gbenga oni on 09/25/2009

kenyon in my opinion did a beautiful job at chelsea,he survived under the big weilding stick of of the siberian,and did well under pressure. profits are natural when a biz is well planned the cups came after 50 years of elusions and mirages, i think he should be given a send off match in my poinion with signings like mourino,drogba,essien,cech,cavarlo,we should hail a patriot

Posted by Mozeea on 09/25/2009

Good work Kenyon and we wish u all d best. The fact is that Ballack didn't bring the imense strenght and character that made him a legend at Bayarn and Germany so to speak, but the truth is that he wasn't a bad signing owing to fact that he came on a free transfer. The Asly Cole affair was a bad one for our image but thank God his now a driving force behind our diffence. Kudos Peter

Posted by Craig Antosh on 09/26/2009

Kenyon proved reasonably adept at continuing the ascendancy of Chelsea as both an elite club and brand, but I think he'll prove replaceable in the end. Looking at his impact on the team, I think the balance of his moves tips a bit to his advantage, but I don't see any definitive 'stamp' of excellence or originality in his decisions. We can, and shall, proceed without concern.

To weigh in on the Ballack quibble above, Ballack was a decent signing, adding depth, skill (albeit aged skill), and a stalwart clubhouse presence, but I think his resigning was poorly conceived, given his wages, age, and the number of superior options available within and outside the club. Perhaps the club, like I, simply treasured his pursuit of Ovrebo in the dwindling seconds of the game we'd rather ignore. At a full run up the pitch, his ability to remain millimeters from the man's face while refraining from contact is the single greatest mixture of rage and restraint I've ever witnessed.

Posted by Manaswi on 09/28/2009

thanks, kenyon for all you did for us. From India. BLUES FOREVER!

Posted by frank douglas on 09/28/2009

i think mr keyon has done great in chelsea,and everybody appreciats what he has done for the club,but i think this is also a chance for others to try,

Posted by oladipo on 09/29/2009

chelsea is a great team, Kenyon has done his bit so let someone else take over from where he stopped, the club is not about one person, i believe that with good team work chelsea can achieve all they wish and desire for themselves.Ancelotti is doing a great job with the squad which shows that chelsea has the potential to win the champions league as well as the premiership. THUMBS UP FOR CHELSEA FC

Posted by CHUKWU SUNDAY OSITA 3 days, 13 hours ago

THANK YOU,KENYON,ACTUALLY YOU TRIED 4 CHELSEA.CHELSEA AS A FOOTBALL CLUB ALWAYS GO 4 THE BSET,AND KENYON, YOU ARE AMONG THE BEST.GOOD LUCK TO WHEREEVER YOU ARE GOING TO.

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