Roman Abramovich: His 10 years as Chelsea owner in pictures
- Published
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is listed as the 107th richest man in the world by the influential Forbes magazine, which estimates him to be worth $10.2bn (£6.76bn).
Now aged 46, he was largely unknown outside Russia until 2003 when he bought Premier League football club Chelsea.
The surprise takeover, in a deal worth £140m ($233m) - the biggest in British football history at the time - was finalised on 1 July, 2003 after talks with long-time chairman Ken Bates. "In today's football market, the club will benefit from a new owner with deeper pockets," Bates said of the change.
Fans of the west London club were grateful to Mr Abramovich, who not only cleared Chelsea's debts but started a major programme of investment in players.
Manager Claudio Ranieri had a contract until 2007 but had been tipped for the sack as soon as the billionaire took over the club. Defeat by Monaco in the semi-final of the Champions League effectively ended his hopes of staying.
Jose Mourinho, the Champions League winner with Porto, was appointed as replacement in June 2004 and immediately captivated Britain's sporting public with his "Special One" speech and verbal jousting that hinted at the headlines to come.
Mourinho went on to deliver Chelsea's first league title for half a century - and much more besides - but subsequent differences, difficulties and discord dogged the latter stages of his tenure.
After the final whistle in Chelsea's turgid 1-1 home draw with Rosenborg of Norway in the Champions League Group B opener in 2007, Abramovich was seen marching into the dressing room.
Chelsea released a statement saying it was decided director of football Avram Grant would take over as manager. Against all expectations, Grant guided the Blues to their first Champions League final in 2008 only to lose on penalties after extra-time to Manchester United in Moscow.
A revolving door of managerial appointments continued with varied success. Luiz Felipe Scolari was appointed in July 2008, Guus Hiddink as the end of season interim in 2009, Carlo Ancelotti from June 2011 and Andre Villas-Boas until March 2012.
Former Chelsea midfielder Roberto di Matteo was put in charge as first-team coach on an interim basis until the end of the season.
Chelsea stunned Bayern Munich in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at the Allianz Arena to win the Champions League for the first time. Abramovich held aloft the coveted prize.
During 2012, Abramovich was in a legal battle with exiled Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky which threatened to put a dent in his fortune. Mr Berezovsky said Abramovich had intimidated him into selling shares in Russian oil giant Sibneft. He was claiming £3bn ($4.7bn) in damages. Abramovich won the case in August.
Abramovich ignored the discontent of Chelsea's supporters to appoint the hugely unpopular Rafael Benitez as interim manager following the sacking of Champions League winner Roberto Di Matteo. Some of the bitterness was temporarily sweetened as Benitez secured victory in the Europa Cup.
Jose Mourinho was reappointed for a second stint as manager on 3 June, 2013. If the interim appointment of Benitez was owner Roman Abramovich reminding Chelsea's fans who calls the shots, the return of Mourinho is a case of giving your public what they want.