Birch bows out at Chelsea

Trevor Birch has resigned from his job as chief executive of Chelsea FC, the Premiership club announced on Saturday.

Kenyon comes in
The news comes five days after Peter Kenyon joined the London club as chief executive officer after resigning from the same role at Manchester United FC.

'Transition period'
"Trevor Birch has resigned as a director of the company and from all other roles with Chelsea Village plc and affiliated entities," Chelsea's parent company Chelsea Village announced in a statement on the club's website. "The resignation is effective immediately, but Mr Birch will assist during a transition period."

'Enormous skills'
"The directors were hopeful that, in light of the recent appointment of Peter Kenyon as chief executive officer, they would be able to develop another senior executive position within Chelsea Village plc that could take advantage of Trevor's enormous skills and also satisfy his requirements," the statement said. "Unfortunately, that has not been possible."

Spending spree
Birch, who joined the London club in March 2002, oversaw Chelsea's hectic summer of activity in the transfer market. New owner Roman Abramovich provided the backing to sign nine high-profile players, including Adrian Mutu, Hernán Crespo, Damien Duff, Juan Sebastián Verón and Claude Makelele, as the club spent more than €150m on their squad.