Roman Abramovich (foto: Getty Images)
Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich hopes to one day return to Stamford Bridge for a proper farewell, but he insists he’s finished with football ownership for good.
Roman Abramovich has spoken for the first time about his £2.5 billion sale of Chelsea, revealing he still hopes to say a “proper goodbye” to the club he transformed over nearly two decades.
The Russian billionaire purchased Chelsea in 2003 for £140 million and oversaw an era of unprecedented success, including Premier League and Champions League triumphs.
But after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, sanctions forced Abramovich to part ways with the London club due to alleged ties with Vladimir Putin. He sold Chelsea to the Todd Boehly–Clearlake Capital consortium in May 2022 for a record-breaking sum.
Abramovich has since remained out of the public eye and hasn’t returned to Stamford Bridge, but he broke his silence in a new book, Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC.
"Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye," Abramovich said. "But nothing more than that. I don't have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role."
While distancing himself from club ownership, Abramovich expressed openness to supporting youth and academy initiatives: "If there were an initiative that could make a difference for youngsters from difficult backgrounds, I would consider helping."
Since his departure, Chelsea have struggled for consistency despite significant investment in the transfer market. However, they secured Champions League qualification and a Conference League title in the 2024-25 season, marking signs of recovery post-Abramovich.