Chelsea is about to have a new female leader.

(Baonghean) - According to official information from the Chelsea FC management, after ten years of dedication to the club, current CEO Ron Gourlay will leave the team early next year to seek new opportunities in his business ventures. It is highly likely that this position will be handed over to Marina Granovskaia, a close advisor to Chelsea Chairman Abramovich. This also means that Marina will become the most powerful woman in the world of football.

Marina Granovskaia is no stranger to the world of football, especially to Chelsea players and fans. Born in January 1975 in Russia, she is of Russian and Canadian descent and is fluent in several languages, including English, Russian, and other European languages. She graduated from Moscow State University in 1997, and that was also when she began her career at Sibneft, the oil company of then-Chairman Roman Abramovich.

Marina Granovskaia poses for a commemorative photo with Didier Drogba.

Marina arrived in London in 2003, shortly after Abramovich acquired Chelsea. Nearly two decades as Abramovich's "right-hand woman," her role within the club has become increasingly established. In 2010, Marina officially became the club chairman's representative, assisting the directors with club matters.

Over the past few years, Marina has played a decisive role in most of Chelsea's high-profile transfers, including the record-breaking Premier League transfer of Fernando Torres for £50 million, the blockbuster signing of Diego Costa in the summer of 2014; and especially bringing manager Jose Mourinho back to Chelsea last summer. In addition, she has been involved in promoting partnerships with Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem and Spanish club Malaga.

Marina's impending appointment as CEO of the club has received strong support from both the Chelsea board and players, as she has always maintained good relationships with the rest of the team. Recently, when asked about this, the club's honorary chairman, Bruce Buck, stated: "There is no doubt about Marina Granovskaia's capabilities; her contributions over the years speak for themselves. Marina's appointment as CEO will not only have a positive impact on the team but will also promote the advancement of women's roles in professional football, something we have been striving to improve over the years."

Minh Nhat

(According to Daily Mail)