Chelsea Women’s manager Sonia Bompastor has signed a new contract until 2030.
The decision comes despite Chelsea being set to miss out on their first Women’s Super League title since 2019.
Chelsea are 12 points behind WSL leaders Manchester City with just eight games remaining after losing 5-1 to the runaway leaders last weekend.
After the match, Bompastor admitted that he would leave the club if the club’s hierarchy did not think he was the right person for the job.
However, Chelsea decided to follow their manager’s stance with a statement of intent.
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Highlights from the Women’s Super League match between Manchester City and Chelsea.
Chelsea directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstantley said: “The renewal of her contract reflects our belief in her leadership, vision and the stability she brings to the club.”
“There is still much to do this season as we continue to compete for all the major trophies. We are very excited for Sonia and the team for the next steps in the short and long term.”
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Bompastor himself said he felt supported by the club despite the current disappointment in the league.
“I still feel the support of the club,” she said. “It’s clear. I don’t feel pressured.”
“Maybe I couldn’t express it correctly after the (Man City) game because of the language barrier, but the support was unbelievable.
“They support the women’s team. They support me and the players. I have no doubt about that.”
Analysis: Is this deal the boost Chelsea need right now?
Chelsea are almost out of the title picture.
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:
It’s been a really strange time at Chelsea in recent weeks. The recent losses to Arsenal and Manchester City marked the first consecutive league defeat in 11 years.
This is also rare territory for Bompastor, who has lost back-to-back games for the first time in his nearly 200-game coaching career.
But Chelsea’s decision to stick by their manager may be just the boost this team needs at their worst moment of the decade.
While the league title is set to be their new destination, Chelsea have plenty left to play for this season. Manchester United will need to change their form quickly as they have reached both the FA Cup fifth round and the League Cup final and the Champions League quarter-finals begin at the end of March.
Winning that elusive first Champions League title will almost immediately banish any thoughts about the current state of the league. Chelsea have one of the best squads in Europe, so having the WSL parked to one side might be a blessing in disguise.
But this new signing is a message to Chelsea’s rivals. There is still faith in the Bompastor project. They won’t be leaving anytime soon.
