Chelsea's next manager will inherit a remarkable parting gift from Roman Abramovich: an £85 million windfall from the FIFA Club World Cup. The club secured the prize money last summer after defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the final, a triumph that traces back to Abramovich's Champions League victory in 2021.
Club World Cup Success
Under then-manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea exceeded expectations to win the Club World Cup on American soil. The £85 million prize was accumulated through a guaranteed participation fee and performance-related bonuses. Group stage wins earned £3 million, progressing to the round of 16 added £5.6 million, the quarter-final brought £9.7 million, and the semi-final triumph contributed £15.6 million. Victory over PSG sealed the total.
Abramovich's Legacy
Roman Abramovich left Chelsea in 2022, with Todd Boehly's consortium completing a £4.25 billion takeover on May 7, 2022. Abramovich faced sanctions from the UK Government due to alleged ties to Vladimir Putin following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Despite his departure, his legacy endures through the Club World Cup prize, which could fund new signings for the next manager.
Managerial Search
Chelsea are searching for a new manager after Liam Rosenior's departure last month. Rosenior replaced Maresca in January but was sacked after five consecutive defeats without scoring. The club is reportedly considering Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez for the role. Xavi, who left Barcelona in 2024, previously expressed interest in managing a Premier League club, stating: "Who doesn't like the Premier League?" He mentioned Chelsea among potential destinations.
The Blues have spent nearly £200 million on new recruits, including Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, but part of the Club World Cup windfall may remain unspent, providing a financial boost for the incoming manager.
