Roman Abramovich has expressed a heartfelt desire to return to Chelsea one day, simply to bid the club and its fans a proper farewell.
The former Chelsea owner, who was forced to sell the club due to the fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war, has opened up about the emotional toll of parting with the Premier League side.
In his first significant comments since the sale, Abramovich spoke candidly about the pain of having to let go of the club he owned for nearly two decades. Despite stepping away in 2022, the British government is still pursuing legal action to ensure the funds from the £2.5 billion sale are directed toward victims of the war in Ukraine.
Chelsea is now under the control of a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, following their high-profile takeover in May 2022.
In his newly released book, Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC, Abramovich reflects on the sale and his future in football. He made it clear he has no intention of returning to club ownership.
He said: “Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more than that.
“I don’t have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role.
“There might be something where I could help with academies and youngsters, giving greater opportunities to people from difficult backgrounds, if there were an initiative that could make a difference.
“But as for ownership or a professional role at a club, I am done with that in this lifetime.”
These statements mark the end of an era for Abramovich, who oversaw one of the most successful periods in Chelsea’s history. His departure may have closed a chapter, but the legacy of his time at Stamford Bridge continues to be felt.
