The post-Emma Hayes era at Chelsea is entering its next phase of structural evolution. In a significant move to bolster their backroom staff, Chelsea FC Women officially announced today, Friday, February 27, 2026, the appointment of Phil Radley as the club's new Sporting Director.
Radley joins the Blues from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland, where he spent over a decade building one of the most respected development and recruitment models in European football. He is expected to begin his new role at Kingsmeadow next month.
A Strategic Successor to Paul Green
The appointment comes just weeks after the shock departure of Paul Green, the long-serving Head of Women’s Football who left the club on February 9 after 13 years and 19 trophies.
While Green was the architect of the squad alongside Emma Hayes, Radley’s role represents a modernized approach to the "Sporting Director" model, aligning the women's team more closely with the structure of the men’s side under Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
Why Phil Radley? The Nordsjaelland Blueprint
Radley’s reputation in the game is built on his work at Nordsjaelland, a club famous for its "Right to Dream" academy and its ability to scout and develop world-class talent on a modest budget. At Chelsea, his remit will be far more expansive:
Squad Planning & Succession: With eight senior players—including Sam Kerr, Millie Bright, and Lucy Bronze—on expiring contracts this summer, Radley’s first task will be managing a potential "changing of the guard."
Recruitment & Negotiations: He will lead all transfer dealings and agent negotiations, allowing Head Coach Sonia Bompastor to focus entirely on the pitch.
Long-Term Vision: Working alongside Bompastor, Radley is tasked with ensuring Chelsea remains the dominant force in the WSL while finally securing the elusive UEFA Women's Champions League trophy.
"Talent and Tenacity"
Speaking on his appointment, Radley expressed his pride in joining the reigning WSL champions:
"I’m very proud to be joining Chelsea FC Women. This is a team filled with talent and tenacity, that has an incredible record of success and an exciting future. I look forward to working closely with Soni
a, the players, and the rest of the football sta ff to play a part in writing the next chapter." — Phil Radley
The Bompastor-Radley Era
Since arriving in the summer of 2024, Sonia Bompastor has been a revelation, leading Chelsea to an unbeaten domestic treble in her debut season. However, the recent back-to-back losses to Manchester City and Arsenal have highlighted the need for a dedicated administrative lead to support the technical staff.
With Radley’s arrival, Chelsea are signaling their intent to move away from the "all-powerful manager" model of the past and toward a collaborative, data-led structure designed for sustained, long-term dominance.