Reshuffle has become a common word used at Chelsea in recent years, and another change at Stamford Bridge looks set to take place.

Just weeks after Clearlake Capital announced an increase in its stake in the club, a new development at the sporting level has taken place.

Chelsea’s co-sporting director Laurence Stewart is set to leave the club just shy of spending four years at Stamford Bridge.

Stewart, who joined from Ligue 1 side AS Monaco, oversaw one of Chelsea’s biggest overhauls in recent years back in 2023 alongside fellow co-sporting director Paul Winstanley.

The 40-year-old contributed to the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League successes during his time as co-sporting director. He was also part of the sporting leadership team that received contract extensions after the victories in 2025.

The Blues have plenty of senior figures to replace Stewart. The leadership team continues to consist of Paul Winstanley, Sam Jewell, Joe Shields and Dave Fallows.

Chelsea’s succession plan for life after Stewart has been revealed. According to The Telegraph, Winstanley, Jewell and Shields will work closely with new manager Xabi Alonso and coordinate with the data and analytics team.

No immediate replacement is currently expected, with the Blues having three sporting directors on ‘equal footing’, according to Ben Jacobs. It is also understood that Stewart leaves the club on excellent terms and is respected for his contribution.

Shared responsibility and cohesion will be the next steps of the overall plan. It is understood that Winstanley, Jewell and Shields will each have a specific focus.

Winstanley, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022, will carry responsibility for transfers, player contracts and departments back at Cobham. Shields will focus on the Chelsea academy and overall player pathway. Finally, Jewell will have shared responsibility across BlueCo's multi-club network.

The Blues will be looking to get back to winning ways in the coming weeks after a run of three league matches without a win. Chelsea return to Premier League action on October 10 against Bournemouth, with a trip to Everton a week later. The west London side will finish the month by hosting Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, with a League Cup tie away to Alonso’s former side Liverpool sandwiched between the two.

January will be the first test of the new sporting setup, with heavy links to signing a new midfielder in the upcoming transfer window. In recent days, links to Alex Scott have intensified, but the Bournemouth midfielder has since suffered an injury that will likely sideline him for up to two months.