Sonia Bompastor: Chelsea appoint Lyon boss to replace Emma Hayes

The club have also announced a re-structuring and a long-term strategic plan for the women’s team in anticipation of a new era in the WSL, which will be taken over by NewCo this summer.

Chelsea sporting directors Winstanley and Stewart will continue to oversee football operations but the women’s team will be led by a new commercial leadership group to enable them to become a standalone business – alongside the men’s team and not underneath it.

The WSL champions will have dedicated resources, management and commercial leadership focused solely on the growth of the women’s team.

It is believed there is a strong desire within the club to attract private investors to the women’s team. Currently, any prospective investor in the WSL is required to go through a men’s team.

BDT & MSD Partners, an American global merchant bank, have worked with Chelsea as financial advisors on a potential minority investment in the club.

With further investment into infrastructure, training facilities and player development, alongside this new strategic evolution, Chelsea hope they will help cement their position as a leading force within the women’s game.