Who is Marina Granovskaia, the mind behind Chelsea’s success who is leaving the London club today

Listed as the ‘most powerful woman in football’, Marina Granovskaia He broke ground with his incredible management and bargaining power at Chelsea. The Russian joined the team in 2003 and in 2014 she became the general director of the ‘blues’, making history in world football.

The Russian-Canadian studied at the Faculty of Foreign Languages ​​of Moscow State University and graduated in 1997. At the age of 22, she began working as an assistant at Roman Abramovich’s oil company: Sibneft.

When the Russian tycoon bought Chelsea in 2003, he offered Granovskaia an advisory position, who immediately moved to London to start her duties. After several years at the club, in 2010, Marina became Abramovich’s representative and supported the decisions of the board of directors.

Little by little he began to climb positions and in June 2013 he became part of the board. His good ideas attracted attention and he began to have decision-making power in the club. In this way, a year later Abramovich made her the general manager of the team. Following this rise, The Times declared her the most powerful woman in world football.

She was behind the renewal of Didier Drogba in 2009. As well as the return of José Mourihno to the English club in 2013. In addition, she led the millionaire agreement with Nike for 1,000 million euros in 2017. Added to these actions are the sale of Eden Hazard in exchange for 115 million euros and the additions of Kanté, Havertz and Werner who were essential for the continental success of the ‘blues’, who won the Champions League in the 2021-22 season, precisely with a goal from Havertz over the City.

All of this led her to be chosen in the 2018 by forbes magazine as the fifth most powerful woman in sports. And her most recent award was last year when she was named the ‘Best Club Manager in European Football’ at the awards golden-boyhighlighting his incredible work in the institution that led the ‘Blue’ team to win their first two Champions Leagues.

After 19 years at Chelsea, everything seems to indicate that Marina Granovskaia is saying goodbye to the English club. This is confirmed by The Telegraph stating that Granovskaia will leave her position towards the end of this month, after the sale of the club and the arrival of a new president.

Marina Granovskaia’s management has been extraordinary and will be remembered for a long time. Managing her in her offices, her great skill in dealing with soccer players and being able to incorporate the best soccer players on the market, allowed her to make her way steadily in a world dominated by men.