KINGSTON, England — Chelsea embarked on a new chapter this weekend following the exit of general manager Paul Green, the key figure behind the club’s 12-year supremacy in domestic women’s football. Their Women’s Super League match against Liverpool on Sunday marked their initial venture into unfamiliar territory.
Green, who had been with the club since 2013, could not have chosen a more challenging moment to depart. Chelsea was still recovering from losses to Arsenal and Manchester City that severely impacted their WSL title defense and jeopardized their chances of European football next season. They have a Women’s League Cup final approaching, and must now navigate the critical phases of both the FA Cup and Women’s Champions League.
The club’s new phase without Green commenced with a 2-0 victory, indicating that the turmoil off the pitch had not yet affected their performance.
“It was a difficult week, to be honest,” Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor stated after the match. “We are all human, and I think when you lose a member of your staff, it hurts.”
“We tried to concentrate a bit on the game as well, so I believe we performed well considering everything that transpired this week.”
This marked the first occasion since 2012 that Chelsea played a match without former head coach Emma Hayes — now managing the United States women’s national team — or Green at the club, and his absence was noticeable.
He was instrumental in recruiting every player in Chelsea’s starting XI, including both goal scorers Sjoeke Nüsken and Lauren James. This was just one aspect of his significant role, which also encompassed daily operations such as travel arrangements, meal schedules, training days, and rest periods, in addition to managing player contracts.
It is not surprising that veteran players like Millie Bright and Sam Kerr were quick to express their sentiments on social media following Green’s departure announcement, labeling him a “big, big loss for the club.” Supporters at Kingsmeadow echoed this sentiment. A planned pre-match protest against his treatment was canceled due to rain, but they began chanting his name in the 13th minute. “There’s only one Paul Green” was followed by “Paul Green is always a Blue” and “Paul Green, we love you.”
For much of his tenure in London, Green and Hayes were regarded as a partnership. They used to attend matches in person to scout players — prior to the establishment of the elite scouting network they currently possess — exchanging feedback and making recruitment choices independently. As investment increased and Clearlake took ownership in 2022, changes occurred within the club. The duo had diminished control, and while responsibilities were now shared — with little adverse effect — Hayes began contemplating her options before deciding to leave in the summer of 2024 with a fifth consecutive league title secured.
Sources informed ESPN that they were surprised Green remained with the club after Hayes’ departure, although officials acknowledged his continued presence was vital, particularly in the recruitment of a new coaching staff. There was only a week between Chelsea offering Bompastor, who succeeded Hayes in the dugout, her initial contract and Green’s exit.
Sunday’s match concluded with a 2-0 victory over Liverpool, but this does not imply that the transition will be without challenges. The planned protests and chants from fans highlighted the growing disconnect between supporters and ownership that has been evident since the team’s first loss under Bompastor in December. One former Chelsea player remarked that the club was “unrecognizable” compared to its appearance over the past decade.
Bompastor confirmed that Chelsea will not seek a direct replacement for Green. However, the concluding stretch of the season will not be the primary concern post-Green: The true test will arise in the summer. Several key players — including Bright, Kerr, and Guro Reiten — are out of contract, and the summer transfer window will be critical in shaping the club’s new chapter. With their long-time guiding figure gone, will Chelsea maintain their competitive edge, or will they lag behind?
“Being able to come here, focus on the game, deliver the performance, and achieve the result we had just demonstrated a lot of character,” Bompastor added. “I’m truly proud of my players and all staff members for what we accomplished today.”
Sunday’s outcome was a positive advancement, but the club’s future remains uncertain.
