Roman Abramovich wants 'proper goodbye' at Chelsea as former owner speaks out on £2.5 billion sale of club for first time

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, prominent figures around the world were forced by local governments to part with prominent assets due to alleged ties with Vladimir Putin. In Abramovich’s case, that meant bringing his reign at Stamford Bridge to a close.

Having acquired the Blues for £140 million ($189m) in 2003 - overseeing Premier League and Champions League title triumphs - Abramovich sold to the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium for £2.5 billion ($3.4bn).

Abramovich has not been back to west London since, as he lives a secretive life away from the spotlight, but has given a rare interview and discussed his departure from English football for the first time in a new book called ‘Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC’.

In that, when asked about Chelsea and the future, Abramovich 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.”

Chelsea, despite spending big across several transfer windows, have struggled for consistency on the back of Abramovich’s decision to move on. They did, however, secure Champions League qualification in 2024-25, while also winning the Conference League.