Chelsea CEO Chris Jursaek reportedly left staff members shocked by admitting he is not a football fan and he views the sport as a ‘product’.

Blues supporters have vented their anger at owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in recent weeks as they stagger to the end of a disappointing second season.

The owners’ predecessor, Roman Abramovich, oversaw a hugely successful period at Stamford Bridge comprising multiple Champions League and Premier League triumphs. Boehly’s arrival came with unprecedented investment in the playing squad.

But a collection of the world’s finest young stars have so far found it difficult to gel on the pitch, and Chelsea are on course for a second consecutive bottom-half Premier League finish.

American businessman Jurasek was brought on board to become Chelsea’s CEO after Boehly and Clearlake’s £4.25billion acquisition, and according to The Daily Mail, he surprised members of staff during a meeting with new starters.

When asked whether he is a Chelsea fan, Jurasek reportedly claimed that he is ‘not really a football fan’ at all, adding that he views the sport as a ‘product and our fans as customers – which people get mad at’.

The news of Jurasek’s striking claims sparked a passionate response on social media, with @willreyner writing on X: “Good lord, every piece of news makes me feel more and more depressed and disconnected.”

Meanwhile, @PopSarah added: “Unacceptable! I wish Roman had sold Chelsea to Jim Ratcliffe even though he came in late to the bidding process. [Behdad] Eghbali is the real problem, much more than Boehly. He is the one hiring these ridiculous corporate types who have no place in a football club of any level.”