Chelsea hire ANOTHER sporting director to take total to five

Tom Weber

Updated: 1 Nov 2025 13:54 GMT
4 min read

Chelsea have appointed Dave Fallows as their fifth sporting director after a minor restructuring behind the scenes.

Article continues under the video

The Blues' unique recruitment model has become even more unique. Before Fallows' hire, Chelsea had two co-sporting directors in Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, which was already unusual.

The pair are in charge of footballing operations, especially transfers and managerial appointments. In that role, they have come in for criticism as Chelsea have failed to compete at the top of the Premier League despite lavish spending.

Some Chelsea fans are also still unconvinced by head coach Enzo Maresca, whose appointment has been used as another stick to beat Winstanley and Stewart.

However, Chelsea believe that they have been at the forefront of innovation since the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital takeover, and they have no intention of changing their approach. On the contrary, they have now doubled down on the uniqueness of it.

Chelsea appoint a fifth sporting director

While most clubs have just one sporting director in charge of footballing matters, Chelsea now have five. Former Liverpool official Fallows has joined, and this has entailed a small change in designations.

Fallows is officially Chelsea's 'Sporting Director, Football Development,' while Sam Jewell has had his title elevated to 'Sporting Director, Global Recruiting' and Joe Shields to 'Sporting Director, Scouting & Talent.'

© IMAGO - Chelsea have built a unique recruitment department under Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali

The department is still overseen by Winstanley and Stewart, but there is 'shared accountability' in this five-man team, with each one having a clearly defined area of responsibility.

The entire quintet is under contract until the end of the decade, which Chelsea hope will provide long-term stability and planning security. The arrival of Fallows comes just a day after former Brighton chief David Weir was announced as sporting director of BlueCo sister club Strasbourg.

"I'm delighted to join the club and to be working closely with Paul, Laurence, Joe and Sam and the other talented staff across Chelsea's men's, women's and youth teams,” Fallows said.

“I've been impressed by a lot of the work that has gone on already around the development and recruitment strategy for players at all levels. I look forward to playing a part in building on the foundations they’ve already established with the talented squads developed under the owners.”

Football transfer news headlines today

Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Man Utd’s Paqueta REALITY, Slot SACK latest, TWO Real Madrid deals

Chelsea can sign World Cup finalist thanks to bargain release clause

Man Utd barge Arsenal aside in race for the 'next Adriano'

Barcelona target BlueCo star after Chelsea transfer plan confirmed

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store