Chelsea Newcastle Premier League

Chelsea and Newcastle make marquee appointments in the boardroom

July 18, 2022

Both Chelsea and Newcastle have appointed senior members of their board today.

Chelsea appoint Tom Glick as President of Business

Glick will assume responsibility for day-to-day operations at Chelsea FC, including managing its global commercial strategy, driving revenue growth, enhancing fan engagement, and creating exceptional experiences for the Club’s fans. 

Glick commented: ‘Chelsea FC is an iconic sports institution, known and admired all over the world. I have been very impressed with the vision and mission of Todd Boehly and Clearlake. They have the Chelsea community at the heart of everything they do. We have a huge opportunity here to enhance performance across the board, on behalf of everyone we serve.’ 

Todd Boehly, chairman and co-controlling owner, said: ‘Tom’s successful track record as a leader and innovator at several respected and winning sport organisations made him the obvious choice for this position. His skills and experience will be vital as we improve Chelsea FC’s key infrastructure, expand the Club’s products and reputation, and find exciting new ways for our loyal supporters to engage with their favourite players.’ 

Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano, co-controlling owners, said: ‘Tom is a terrific addition to Chelsea FC and will advance our long-term plans for the Club. He has the experience and credentials to elevate our significant global standing and help lead our commitment to strengthen the Club through investments in squad additions, infrastructure, technology, the youth academy, and the Women’s Team.’ 

Glick, most recently, was President of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers franchise, where he managed extensive improvements to Bank of America Stadium. He also oversaw the creation of Major League Soccer’s Charlotte Football Club, which Chelsea FC will face on 21 July as part of the Club’s US tour of friendly fixtures. 

Glick has also held positions as Chief Commercial Officer of City Football Group, where he was responsible for global business operations across the world, CEO of Derby County, and senior marketing positions with the New Jersey Nets and the NBA. In English football, he served on the Football League Board, the FA Council, and the Professional Game Board.

Darren Eales joins Newcastle United as CEO

Eales joins from US Major League Soccer (MLS) club Atlanta United, where he has been President and Chief Executive since the team was founded in 2014. Over that time, he has built a franchise that has secured the highest average attendance in MLS, created the most valuable squad, generated the largest profits – and won multiple trophies, including the MLS Cup in 2018, the US Open Cup in 2019 and the Campeones Cup in 2019.

The 49-year-old will work alongside the Magpies’ sporting director, Dan Ashworth, for the second time in his career after the two worked closely at West Bromwich Albion between 2006 and 2010.

Born in Chelmsford, Eales attended Ivy League establishment Brown University in the United States, graduating with a first-class degree in economics and being named the Ivy League Football Player of the Year in 1994 while playing in the US college system.

He subsequently read law at Cambridge University back in the UK before becoming a member of the bar in 2000 and practised at 2 Temple Gardens Chambers, where he remains a door tenant.

In 2006, he joined West Bromwich Albion, serving as Legal Director and Club Secretary, before leaving to become Director of Football Administration at Tottenham Hotspur in 2010.

In 2014, Eales became president of the newly-awarded franchise Atlanta United FC, and led the club through its inaugural season in 2017 to then become MLS Cup winners in 2018 – with a side including Miguel Almirón.

Assembling the club’s front office, developing its brand identity and integral to the appointment of several of the franchise’s technical team, Eales was also central to Atlanta United’s move into the impressive Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017, where the club has consistently ranked in the top 15 globally for football attendance.

Eales has a stellar reputation and he has been named the MLS Executive of the Year on two occasions. He was also named World Football Summit Executive of the Year in 2019.

Eales said: “Newcastle United is both a giant of a club, and the heartbeat of its community. Every time I have visited St. James’ Park, I’ve been overwhelmed by the passion of the fans.

“This is a club with an amazingly rich heritage, and I am delighted to be joining for this new chapter in its long history.

“I am grateful for the opportunity, and look forward to working with the rest of the team to help this storied club fulfil its potential.”

The club’s investment group, comprising PIF, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media, said: “We are delighted to announce Darren Eales as the club’s new CEO. He is an exceptional leader and is a great fit for Newcastle United.

“We have conducted an exhaustive recruitment process to ensure we identified and secured the right individual for the CEO position, and we are confident we have found that person in Darren.

“He has a deep understanding of the football industry and what it takes to achieve growth and success, and he will be a key member of the club’s leadership team as we look to deliver on the club’s potential on and off the pitch.”

Chelsea Newcastle Premier League