A “quiet powerhouse” is the label that a great sports director has tagged Marina Granovskaia for hearing about her negotiating prowess from a number of agents before experimenting with it himself.
Roman Abramovich’s trusted lieutenant leaves Chelsea, where he controlled day-to-day affairs and was their transfer boss, in what is a significant loss for the club.
The Russian-Canadian executive has been the most influential woman in the Premier League – and quite possibly European football – but she is fiercely reserved and has never courted publicity.
Chelsea’s stunning success, fueled by Abramovich’s wealth, was marked by Granovskaia’s decisions. He pulled the strings when the club moved to Cobham training complex, which opened in 2007 and was even instructive in the lucrative long-term sponsorship deal secured with Nike.
Granovskaia was key to building the relationship with Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, which acted as a development center for Chelsea’s young talent.
His ability to lead a tough deal can be seen in the Stamford Bridge team’s sales – Real Madrid have agreed to pay up to £ 130 million, including bonuses, for Eden Hazard in the final year of his contract – and in the their status as leaders. in the profits of the outgoings.
Granovskaia (left) and president Bruce Buck (right) will leave the club
Other clubs, most notably Liverpool, have stuck to Chelsea’s mini-business of selling incredibly well.
Granovskaia’s departure will be felt in all areas of the club and, although she has never cared about the headlines, she will come out with much acclaim in a football context.
Granovskaia’s relationship with Abramovich
She has been one of Abramovich’s closest allies for over two decades, having first met the billionaire when he took over Russian oil company Sibneft in 1997.
Granovskaia, who is a graduate of Moscow State University, moved to London when the oligarch bought Chelsea in 2003 and has become, as one source put it, “the voice inside his head”.
Abramovich respected her interpretation of all matters concerning the club and joined the board in 2013, becoming one of their four plc directors.
The link between Granovskaia and the former Chelsea owner prompted his exit. Her loyalty remains with Abramovich and the new custodians – a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital – want their managers to execute a new vision.
Chelsea matches: first Lampard’s Everton, then the Spurs
Chelsea kick off the 2022/23 season with a live away match at Frank Lampard’s Everton Sky Sports before hosting London rivals Spurs in their first home game.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will face a reunion with Blues legend Lampard at Goodison Park on August 6, at 5.30pm, before Tottenham visits Stamford Bridge a week later.
Chelsea will host Liverpool in West London on 17 September, Manchester United on 22 October and Arsenal on 5 November.
Their last game before a month’s World Cup hiatus is away to Newcastle, and they continue their Boxing Day campaign against newly promoted Bournemouth.
Chelsea will travel to Tottenham on 25 February and Arsenal on 29 April, with the latter starting their last five games, including Manchester City away on the penultimate weekend of the season and Newcastle at home in the last. day.
Follow the summer market window with Sky Sport
Who will be on the move this summer before the transfer window closes 23:00 on September 1st?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumors in our dedicated Transfer Center blog at Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up with the details and analytics Sky Sports News.