Roman Abramovich: His 10 years as Chelsea owner in pictures

Russian businessman Roman Abramovich arrives for a news conference at the Ararat Hyatt Park Hotel on 22 April, 2003 — Image caption,
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).

The media wait in front of Chelsea Football Club in London on 2 July, 2003.

Now aged 46, he was largely unknown outside Russia until 2003 when he bought Premier League football club Chelsea.

New Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (third from right) watches his side win after the Premiership match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on 17 August, 2003 in Liverpool

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.

Roman Abramovich meets the fans during the Premiership match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on 23 August, 2003

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.

Players from Monaco and Chelsea at the end of their Champions League semi-final in 2004 in Monaco.

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.

Chelsea's newly appointed manager Jose Mourinho watches his players at the training session at the club's training ground at Harlington on 5 July, 2004

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.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho holds aloft the Premier League trophy beside Frank Lampard and John Terry

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.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (l) and Eugene Tenenbaum (c) walk across Stamford Bridge

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.

Avram Grant at a news conference before the 2008 Champions League final in Moscow.

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.

Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti and Andre Villas-Boas

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.

Chelsea's Italian caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo arrives for an English FA Cup replay against Birmingham at St Andrew's on 6 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's Russian owner Roman Abramovich holds the trophy after the UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Chelsea on 19 May, 2012 at the Fussball Arena in Munich

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.

Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich (centre) outside the Royal Courts of Justice in central London where gave evidence in his battle with exiled Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky

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.

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez poses with the Europa League trophy after the victory over Benfica at Amsterdam Arena on 15 May, 2013 in the Netherlands.

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.

Some Chelsea fans show their support for former manager Jose Mourinho

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.