Chelsea left without a sporting director
Despite optimism over the appointment of Christoph Freund as sporting director, the RB Salzburg CEO has confirmed that he will remain at the club.
Todd Boehly will remain as Chelsea’s sporting director for now. The 49-year-old is also one of the club’s co-owners and the chairman of the Premier League side. Christoph Freund is at the top of the list of candidates to become the next sporting director at Stamford Bridge, but RB Salzburg are not interested in letting Freund go.
In an interview with Sky Sport Austria, Freund spoke about Chelsea’s interest: “They are a big club in transition. I can’t say exactly what will happen in the following weeks and months, in football you can’t rule anything out, but I am the sporting director of Salzburg and I enjoy it very much.”
Freund to stay with RB Salzburg
Stephan Reiter, the Austrian club’s CEO, was more spoke about the situation on Tuesday: “Christoph Freund has been doing an excellent job for several years and recently extended his contract until 2026. I can confirm that he will remain sporting director of FC Red Bull Salzburg. He informed me of Chelsea’s interest and we exchanged some ideas on a personal level, but he will remain our sporting director.”
Chelsea’s intention was to fill the vacancy before the start of the World Cup in November, something that looks difficult after Freund’s refusal.
Chelsea continue their search
With Freund out of the running, Chelsea will continue their search for a sporting director. According to the Telegraph, the next names on the list in London are Bayer Leverkusen’s Steidten and Victor Orta at Leeds.