Cech appointed Technical and Performance Advisor by Chelsea
Petr Cech with Director Marina Granovskaia
Written by Simon Austin — June 21, 2019
PETR CECH has returned to Chelsea to take up a new senior role - although not the Technical Director job he had been touted for.
The 37-year-old, who played for the Blues for 11 years, will be the club's Technical and Performance Advisor, providing a bridge between the board and coaching staff. His return had been widely predicted, but as a pure Technical Director overseeing the football functions at Stamford Bridge rather than an advisor.
In a statement, the club said: “The focus of the job will be to provide advice on all football and performance matters throughout the club as well as embed and facilitate strong links between our men’s and Academy teams, ensuring that the various support departments are working together effectively.
“His role will also align him with the men’s first team coaching and backroom staff, travelling with the team home and away with an emphasis on strategy and performance.”
Cech said: “I feel very privileged to have this opportunity to join Chelsea again and help create the best possible high level performance environment to continue the success the club has had over the past 15 years.
“I’m looking forward to the new challenge and hope I can use all of my football knowledge and experience to help the team achieve even more success in the future.”
Director Marina Granovskaia, who has worked for owner Roman Abramovich since 1997, added: “We are delighted to welcome Petr back home to Chelsea. During his playing career here he was one of the most dedicated, successful and thoughtful professionals we have ever had.
“We always hoped that when Petr was ready to retire we would see him back at Chelsea FC and we are thrilled to add his expertise and knowledge of the game to the technical staff.”
The Blues have been without a Technical Director since Michael Emanalo resigned after six years in his post in November 2017.
Cech won 13 trophies during his 11 years as a player at Chelsea, before joining Arsenal in 2015. The keeper retired from playing after the Europa League final defeat by the Blues in Baku last month.
Chelsea are looking for a new manager following Maurizio Sarri’s departure for Juventus - although former Blues legend Frank Lampard is expected to take up the role - and are also banned from making any transfers for two windows, a decision they have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Sporting Director (or similar):
- Arsenal: Raul Sanllehi (Head of Football Relations)
- Aston Villa: Jesus Garcia Pitarch (Sporting Director)
- Bournemouth: Richard Hughes (Technical Director)
- Brighton: Dan Ashworth (Technical Director)
- Burnley: Mike Rigg (Technical Director)
- Chelsea: Petr Cech (Technical and Performance Advisor)
- Crystal Palace: Dougie Freedman (Sporting Director)
- Everton: Marcel Brands (Director of Football)
- Leicester: Jon Rudkin (Director of Football)
- Liverpool: Michael Edwards: (Sporting Director)
- Manchester City: Txiki Begiristain (Director of Football)
- Norwich City: Stuart Webber (Sporting Director)
- Southampton: Ross Wilson (Director of Football Operations)
- Tottenham: Rebecca Caplehorn (Director of Football Operations)
- Watford: Filippo Giraldi (Technical Director)
- West Ham: Mario Husillos (Director of Football)
- Wolves: Kevin Thelwell (Sporting Director)
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