Latest news with #Bompastor
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Serena Williams, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the growing gap at the top of women's football
As Sonia Bompastor introduced her young children to Serena Williams on the pitch at Wembley, before the 23-time grand slam tennis champion headed into the Chelsea dressing room to celebrate with the newly-crowned, unbeaten treble winners, Manchester United manager Marc Skinner was being asked about someone who was creating a different sort of attention by his absence. For the second year in a row, Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was conspicuously missing from Wembley as his side appeared in the Women's FA Cup final, and there wasn't even the excuse of the men's team playing at the same time to hide behind, either. United were still well represented at Wembley, with chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox, the figures Skinner interacts with on a day-to-day basis, both present. But Ratcliffe's absence from Wembley's royal box stood in sharp contrast to Chelsea's new headline-grabbing superstar investors, who had flown across the Atlantic to watch their coronation. Williams was pitch-side at Wembley as her husband, the Reddit co-founder and entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian spoke about his new £20m in the English champions. "The sky's the limit," Ohanian said on the BBC. "That is what we're trying to build here, the best team in the world and at the forefront of women's sport. This will be a billion-dollar franchise one day.' Ohanian added that he wanted Chelsea to be 'unapologetically ambitious' - a sentiment reflected by their history-making manager Bompastor. As the ticker tape fell on the pitch and the champagne was sprayed, Bompastor and her players were already telling themselves that they were not yet the best in Europe. 'We are missing the Champions League,' Bompastor said. 'So that's who we are, that's our goal. I want to make sure we are all able to achieve that goal, to win the Champions League with the club.' Bompastor added that Chelsea 'need to make sure we are going in the right direction' in Europe. But they are already the best in England, by some distance. In 30 matches in the Women's Super League, the FA Cup and the League Cup, Chelsea won 27, drew three and lost none. Their 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Wembley was not a surprise, given Chelsea had finished two places and 16 points ahead of their opponents in the league table. The gap is only getting bigger, too. Chelsea's sixth title in a row was the first time they had not lost over 22 games. In all likelihood, Chelsea will get stronger in the summer, reflecting the moves they made in January, spending over £1.4m to sign the United States international defender Naomi Girma for a world-record fee and England's Keira Walsh from Barcelona. It is their 8-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Women's Champions League semi-finals, though, that will motivate their next moves in the market. 'Everyone is saying 'maybe Chelsea will run away from the pack' in the league in England, but our goal for us is to compete against the best teams in Europe,' Bompastor said. 'So it's nice to have this domestic treble but we want to make sure, in the future and hopefully next season, we are able to compete against the best teams in Europe.' Chelsea believe other teams in England should be matching their ambition. If there are worries over competitive balance in the WSL, it is not Chelsea's fault. Bompastor wants other clubs to be doing more. 'We want to compete at our best and if you have that competition you can compete better,' Bompastor said. 'We want to make sure we're top of the league and bring everyone else with us – this is what we want to achieve. But we need the other teams to still invest and come with us.' Meanwhile, Manchester United will enter the Champions League qualifying rounds next season. Skinner admitted they will struggle to compete across multiple fronts unless they add to their squad. Manchester City have found that out this season, suffering several injuries to crucial players at key times. Arsenal, who have reached the Champions League final, have been unable to sustain a title challenge. Chelsea's depth, Skinner said, was key to their hunger and consistency, with multiple internationals competing for every position. 'We're not going to spend multi-millions,' Skinner said. 'You look at Chelsea's winter window, it tells you the difference. We can't wait [to build]. We've got to do it now. I'm trying to do that. I've been on calls with players, agents. We have to move the needle. Otherwise we will fail. Chelsea have that depth. If we want to be successful we have to go to that depth, but it's not going to be as easy for me. I've got to find diamonds that can make us better.' All the while, the billionaire co-owner, who has been counting pennies through cost-cutting measures since taking over at Old Trafford, was missing from Wembley. 'In all honesty, I don't know why Jim wasn't here,' Skinner said. 'But we were really well represented. Omar's up there, we've got the Glazer family, and Jason as well. They're the people who need to see for us to be able to look at what we need to be able to do to close a growing gap in finance that Chelsea have.' Bompastor was enthused by the sight of Williams and Ohanian at Wembley. "They were here to show their support,' she said. 'You can feel from the beginning they have the right mentality coming into Chelsea.' It wasn't just what Bompastor saw, but what it meant. The absence of Ratcliffe projected an image, too, as clearly as what unfolded on pitch. 'The reality is, it's the investment in the team that needs to happen, it's not whether you're visible as long as our team is being invested in,' Skinner said. 'We also need to close that gap.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sonia Bompastor looks to Europe after Chelsea complete domestic treble
Despite completing the treble without losing a domestic game in her first season managing in England, the Chelsea head coach, Sonia Bompastor, was still not fully satisfied as she set her sights on adding a first European title to club's the honours list. Bompastor's team, who were 3-0 winners against Manchester United at Wembley to finish their 30-match home campaign unbeaten, were outclassed by Barcelona in the Women's Champions League semi‑finals in April. They celebrated the club's sixth Women's FA Cup in 10 years on Sunday, but Bompastor said: 'We are super happy but we didn't win the Champions League, which was also one of our goals. Related: Chelsea's dominance begins to erode the scale of their achievement | Jonathan Liew 'Some of the people there on the pitch were already mentioning 'we are missing the Champions League', so that's who we are, that's our goal. I want to make sure we are all able to achieve that goal, to win the Champions League with the club. 'Everyone is saying 'maybe Chelsea will run away from the pack' in the league in England, but our goal for us is to compete against the best teams in Europe, so it's nice to have this domestic treble but we want to make sure, in the future, and hopefully next season, we are able to compete against the best teams in Europe.' Chelsea have now won 18 major women's trophies – all of which have come in a dominant spell since 2015 – and this year they have appeared further ahead domestically than ever, winning the title by their largest margin, 12 points. Bompastor said: 'We want that competition, to produce our best. We want to make sure we're top of the league and bring everyone else with us – this is what we want to achieve – but we need the other teams to still invest and come with us.' The gap in financial investment between Chelsea and United in terms of budgets was symbolised in the director's boxes as the champions were watched by the Chelsea co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly, whereas United's Sir Jim Ratcliffe was not present for the second season running. There was still a significant delegation of senior United figures – not least the chief executive, Omar Berrada, and the technical director, Jason Wilcox. Related: Chelsea 3-0 Manchester United: Women's FA Cup final player ratings Bompastor said: 'It's really enjoyable for us to see all the people from ownership were here, but even more important to feel they were really behind the team. It just shows as a woman, when you play in football, and the women's game, you are in the right club, and you really want to give that back on the pitch for all these people.' Asked about Ratcliffe's non‑attendance the United head coach, Marc Skinner, said: 'I don't know why Jim wasn't here, but we were really well represented. Omar's up there, we've got the Glazer family in massive support, and Jason as well, so I know [you] are trying to find a story, but we've just lost a final. 'Those are the people I deal with every day. They need to see that [match] for us to be able to look at what we need to do to close a growing gap in finance, that Chelsea have. 'The reality is, it's the investment in the team that needs to happen, it's not whether you're visible. As long as our team is being invested in. We need to close that gap.' Chelsea were also supported at Wembley by their new minority owner Alexis Ohanian, husband of Serena Williams, who bought a 10% stake in the women's club for £20m last week. At half‑time, the Reddit co‑founder told the BBC: 'These are the queens of global soccer and they've got the trophy case to prove it, so I feel so humbled. 'The sky's the limit and what I love about this club is, this club is unapologetically ambitious. This will be a billion-dollar franchise one day.'
Daily Tribune
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Chelsea win Women's FA Cup
AFP | London Chelsea beat Manchester United 3-0 in the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley yesterday to complete an English domestic treble in French coach Sonia Bompastor's first season in charge. Sandy Baltimore scored twice, either side of setting up Catarina Macario for the west London side's second. France international Baltimore opened the scoring from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time before Macario headed in her free-kick to put the result beyond doubt in the 84th minute. Baltimore then wrapped up the scoring against United, last season's FA Cup winners, in the first minute of added-on time when she turned Lisa Naalsund before lashing the ball home from close range. 'Invincibles' Chelsea had already been crowned English champions, becoming the first team to remain unbeaten in a 22-game Women's Super League season as they won their sixth successive domestic league title after previously lifting the League Cup. 'It tops off a brilliant season,' Chelsea's Erin Cuthbert, the player of the match, told the BBC. 'I'm so proud of the group. A lot of hard work's gone into this. To win in the fashion we did, we were holding on a bit at 1-0 but the second goal puts the game to bed.' Reflecting on how the side had adapted to Bompastor's methods, she added: 'There's a lot of change but you just have to embrace it. 'She's a manager, she's a winner, as management and as a player, so you've got to respect that. She's done a brilliant job since she's come in. And a treble, what a way to start it!' Bompastor took over at Chelsea after long-serving and successful manager Emma Hayes left to become the United States' national women's team manager. But their hopes of a quadruple were scuppered when they lost 8-2 on aggregate to Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Women's Champions League -- a tournament they've yet to win for all their domestic triumphs. At Wembley, in a crowd of over 74,000 featuring new Chelsea women's team investor Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian -- as well his tennis champion wife Serena Williams -- the Blues dominated the first half but were kept waiting for an opening goal. It looked as if United would go into the break with the game still goalless but poor defending from Celin Bizet saw her step into Cuthbert and bring the Scotland midfielder down, with referee Stacey Fullicks wasting no time in awarding a penalty. Baltimore, despite the massed ranks of United fans behind the goal trying to distract her and some mind games from Phallon Tullis-Joyce, coolly sent the United goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot. An improved United had their chances to equalise early in the second half and even the introduction of England star Ella Toone off the bench could not bring the Cup holders a goal.
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Chelsea manager glad for Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian's support after Women's FA Cup triumph
The Blues' 3-0 win over Manchester United saw French manager Bompastor complete a domestic treble in her first season in charge. PHOTO: REUTERS LONDON – Sonia Bompastor praised Chelsea's new celebrity backers after multi-millionaire businessman Alexis Ohanian and his wife, tennis great Serena Williams, flew over for their FA Cup final triumph on May 18. The Blues' 3-0 win over Manchester United saw French manager Bompastor complete a domestic treble in her first season in charge, with the west London side the first team to go through a 22-game Women's Super League season unbeaten as well as winning the League Cup. Victory at Wembley also came just days after Reddit founder Ohanian announced he had bought a stake in the Chelsea women's team, reported to be a 10 per cent share worth an estimated £20 million (S$34.6 million). Bompastor, meanwhile was delighted by the presence of both 23-time Grand Slam singles winner Williams and Ohanian. 'They were here today to show their support,' said Bompastor. 'You can feel from the beginning they have the right mentality coming into Chelsea,' she added. 'I think it was the best way to welcome them with this game, this final, and this result.' Sandy Baltimore scored two of Chelsea's goals, either side of providing the free kick from which Catarina Macario headed in to make it 2-0 in front of a Wembley crowd of over 74,000. 'It's a very emotional day,' tearful American Macario told the BBC as teammates celebrated around her on the pitch. 'It's a trophy we always wanted to win. We wanted to win a treble... it's a special day to be at Wembley and to win means a lot.' United were unable to repeat their 2024 FA Cup final win, with manager Marc Skinner having to field questions after the full-time whistle regarding the absence of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Chelsea have yet to win the Women's Champions League, losing 8-2 on aggregate to Barcelona in this season's semi-finals. But Ohanian, speaking to the BBC during the half-time interval, said of Chelsea: 'These are the queens of global soccer and they've got the trophy case to prove it. I feel so humbled. This is a very special club.' Ohanian added he wanted Chelsea to be 'the best team in the world and at the forefront of women's sport'. 'This will be a billion-dollar franchise one day and I hope my dollars, my pounds, can go towards that and especially back home in America, this is going to be America's team,' said Ohanian, previously an investor in US women's football club Angel City FC and a backer of women's athletics. Chelsea co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly were also at Wembley on May 18, with Bompastor saying: 'It's really enjoyable for us to see all the people from the ownership were here today, but even more important to feel they were really behind the team.' Skinner pointed out that United chief executive Omar Berrada, technical director Jason Wilcox and members of the United States-based Glazer family that own the club were at the final. But he was at a loss to explain why Ratcliffe – whose commitment to the club's women's team has been criticised – was absent. 'I understand the angle, I don't know the reason Jim wasn't here,' said Skinner. 'But as long as the club continues to invest in the right way that we need to close that gap, then they are still showing the support in that way, and I really think that's a pertinent point.' AFP, REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Chelsea win Women's FA Cup to complete English treble in Bompastor's first season
LONDON: Chelsea beat Manchester United 3-0 in the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley on Sunday to complete an English domestic treble in French coach Sonia Bompastor's first season in charge. Sandy Baltimore scored twice, either side of setting up Catarina Macario for the west London side's second. France international Baltimore opened the scoring from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time before Macario headed in her free-kick to put the result beyond doubt in the 84th minute. Baltimore then wrapped up the scoring against United, last season's FA Cup winners, in the first minute of added-on time when she turned Lisa Naalsund before lashing the ball home from close range. 'Invincibles' Chelsea had already been crowned English champions, becoming the first team to remain unbeaten in a 22-game Women's Super League season as they won their sixth successive domestic league title after previously lifting the League Cup. "To achieve a treble in England, it's difficult to find the right words to describe that," Bompastor told the BBC. "It means a lot. I always say I want to make sure in every club I am manager that we have good values, the right values, and I want my players to really enjoy it. We worked hard all through the season. It was not easy and to achieve that, it will be part of history." Chelsea's Erin Cuthbert, the player of the match, said of Sunday's success: "It tops off a brilliant season. I'm so proud of the group. "A lot of hard work's gone into this. To win in the fashion we did, we were holding on a bit at 1-0 but the second goal puts the game to bed." Reflecting on how the side had adapted to Bompastor's methods, she added: "There's a lot of change but you just have to embrace it. "She's a manager, she's a winner, as management and as a player, so you've got to respect that. She's done a brilliant job since she's come in. And a treble, what a way to start it!" Bompastor took over at Chelsea after long-serving and successful manager Emma Hayes left to become the United States' national women's team manager. But their hopes of a quadruple were scuppered when they lost 8-2 on aggregate to Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Women's Champions League – a tournament they've yet to win for all their domestic triumphs. At Wembley, in a crowd of over 74,000 featuring new Chelsea women's team investor Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian – as well his tennis champion wife Serena Williams – the Blues dominated the first half but were kept waiting for an opening goal. It looked as if United would go into the break with the game still goalless but poor defending from Celin Bizet saw her step into Cuthbert and bring the Scotland midfielder down, with referee Stacey Fullicks wasting no time in awarding a penalty. Baltimore, despite the massed ranks of United fans behind the goal trying to distract her and some mind games from Phallon Tullis-Joyce, coolly sent the United goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot. An improved United had their chances to equalise early in the second half and even the introduction of England star Ella Toone off the bench could not bring the Cup-holders a goal.
