Chief executive quits Chelsea

Trevor Birch has resigned from his post as Chelsea chief executive following the arrival of Peter Kenyon at Stamford Bridge.

Kenyon quit his role as Manchester United chief executive to accept the same position at Chelsea.

Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich hopes Kenyon can transform Chelsea into the global brand United have become, but his appointment immediately left Birch in a difficult situation.

He was offered a “senior executive role” within Chelsea Village plc but has decided to cut his ties with the club.

A statement from Chelsea Village plc on the club’s official website read: “Chelsea Village plc, the parent company of Chelsea Football Club, regrets to announce that Trevor Birch has resigned as a director of the company and from all other roles with Chelsea Village plc and affiliated entities.

“The directors were hoping that, in light of the recent appointment of Peter Kenyon as chief executive officer, they would be able to develop another senior executive position within Chelsea Village plc that could take advantage of Trevor’s enormous skills and also satisfy his requirements. Unfortunately, that has not been possible.”

Birch’s association with Chelsea began in March 2002, following a spell working with Ernst & Young.

He took over as chief executive two months later when Colin Hutchinson quit in order to accept a position with ProActive Sports Management.

Birch played a key role in Chelsea’s £100million-plus spending spree this summer following the takeover by Abramovich.

The statement from Chelsea continued: “Chelsea’s directors and staff are thankful to Mr Birch for his service to the organisation, his stewardship of the company through a challenging period financially, and his central role in this summer’s exciting transformation of Chelsea Village and Chelsea Football Club.

“We all wish him the utmost success in his future endeavours.”