Chelsea’s sporting leadership and directors have accepted responsibility for the club’s poor season in a letter to the fanbase.
The letter appeared in the matchday programme as Tottenham visited Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Tuesday for Chelsea’s final home game of season. It insisted Chelsea “remain clear” on their long-term goals.
The Blues retain a distant hope of qualifying for the Champions League and are also able to qualify for the Europa League or Conference League if they win against Spurs and Sunderland in their last two games and other results also go their way.
In programme notes signed by ‘Sporting Leadership and Directors’, there was an admission that “the season overall has not met the standards, expectations or ambitions that define Chelsea Football Club.”
It continued: “This is a club that measures itself against the very highest levels, and we know we must do better. That responsibility is clear, and it is one we fully accept.”
The directors added that they want to create “sustainable success” and that “no club wants to experience change in the head coach position”.
That said, there is an overwhelming excitement at the club around last Sunday’s appointment of Xabi Alonso as the incoming manager to take the reins from July 1.
“We were delighted to announce [Alonso] as manager,” they said. “Xabi is one of the most respected figures in the modern game.”
The letter, which also majored on the achievements and challenges of the women’s team and academy, added: “Expectations at Chelsea are always to be competing at the top of the Premier League and qualifying for the Champions League at this stage of the season.
“That has not changed. Everyone at the club is doing everything they can to correct that next year.”
