Chelsea technical and performance advisor Petr Cech has become the latest staff member to leave the club after their takeover.
Former Czech Republic international Cech spent a number of years with the London club as a player. He returned to west London after retiring from the game, working for Chelsea during Roman Abramovich's time in charge, but will move on after the takeover from Todd Boehly's group was completed.
The departure is far from the first over the summer, with Chelsea confirming Cech will leave on June 30. Chairman Bruce Buck has also stood down, while Marina Granovskaia - the figure behind a number of transfers over recent years - is also leaving, with former chief executive Guy Laurence and ex-head of goalkeepers Christophe Lollichon also moving to pastures new.
"It has been a huge privilege to perform this role at Chelsea for the past three years," Cech told club media. "With the Club under new ownership, I feel now is the right time for me to step aside. I am pleased that the Club is now in an excellent position with the new owners, and I am confident of its future success both on and off the pitch."
Cech's departure came despite efforts from Boehly to keep him on board. The ex-goalkeeper is said to have told the American now was the right time to move on, despite the owner being keen to use his expertise during the current transfer window.
Boehly gave his thanks to the outgoing Cech, saying: "Petr is an important member of the Chelsea family.
"We understand his decision to step away and thank him for his contributions as an advisor and his commitment to the club and to our community," Boehly continued. "We wish him the best."
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Cech was involved in a number of transfer moves since returning to the club. Perhaps the highest-profile success saw goalkeeper Edouard Mendy join the Blues from Cech's former club Rennes, with the Senegal international playing an important part in the run to Champions League glory in 2020-21.
Over more than a decade as a player with Chelsea, Cech played 333 times in the Premier League and won domestic titles in 2005, 2006, 2010 and 2015. He was also in goal in 2012 as Chelsea beat Bayern Munich to win the Champions League in 2012.
The 40-year-old spent four seasons with Arsenal after leaving Stamford Bridge. He won the FA Cup with the Gunners in 2017, and played the final game of his professional career against Chelsea as the Blues beat Arsenal in the 2019 Europa League final.
