Chelsea owners BlueCo accused of ‘messing up’ recruitment at Strasbourg as manager calls for culture change

Strasbourg manager Gary O’Neil has launched a scathing attack on BlueCo, the joint owners of both the French club and Chelsea, accusing them of "messing up" recruitment and questioning the overall culture within the organisation.

His pointed remarks echo the widespread discontent among Chelsea supporters, who have voiced similar concerns regarding recruitment, managerial instability, and a perceived lack of clear direction under the same consortium.

O’Neil, who took charge in January, has overseen two semi-final defeats in the last month, with the club exiting the Coupe de France and the Conference League.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are languishing in ninth place in the Premier League, having sacked Liam Rosenior in April after just three months and failing to secure a league win since March 4.

Fans of both clubs united in a joint protest against BlueCo – a consortium led by Behdad Eghbali’s Clearlake Capital and investor Todd Boehly – outside Stamford Bridge in April, underscoring the shared frustrations.

Gary O'Neil is not impressed with the recruitment or culture at Strasbourg (AP)

O’Neil believes the January transfer window actively weakened his squad rather than strengthening it. He highlighted the loaning of striker David Datro Fofana and defender Aaron Anselmino from Chelsea, alongside the recall of influential loanee Mamadou Sarr to west London.