EX-CHELSEA chief Colin Hutchinson has died at the age of 86.
The Blues’ former managing director ran the sporting operation at for more than a decade.
Chelsea have paid tribute to pioneering managing director Colin Hutchinson after his death at 86Credit: Getty
He led the famous ‘Marriott Accord’, which saw the Blues sign star players such as Gianfranco ZolaCredit: Getty
joined the club in paying tribute.
The 45-year-old shared a picture of Hutchinson on and captioned the post: “RIP Colin.
“Lovely guy,” followed by a blue heart emoji.
Having been originally recruited by then-chairman Ken Bates from Wimbledon in 1987, he immediately impressed by running a fundraising campaign to fight property developers which led to him landing the managing director role.
Hutchinson was crucial in the day-to-day management of club matters, as well as taking a hands-on approach to player transfers with boss and director Matthew Harding.
But his most famous act saw him create the “Marriott Accord”.
It came in response to the Bosman ruling, which changed the landscape of transfers.
Hutchinson had gathered Bates, Hoddle and Harding together at the Marriott near Slough to decide on a new recruitment strategy.
They came out emphasising greater investment in talent and changed the future of the Blues going forward, with winner being signed from Sampdoria on a free transfer.
, and Marcel Desailly were among those who soon followed suit from the .
Those signings also yielded a huge period of success for the club, with FA Cups in 1997 and 2000 and Cup Winners’ Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the also captured in that time frame.
Hutchinson eventually left the club in 2002, but the blueprint he left laid the foundations for years to come.
A lengthy tribute on their website said of Hutchinson: “Known for his occasional, parchment-dry wit, he famously described Chelsea as ‘a continental side playing football in England’ soon after the Blues fielded the Premier League’s first entirely non-British starting XI at Southampton in 1999…
“He was the key mover in Vialli taking over as player/manager from Gullit and later on his replacement by .
“It was on Hutchinson’s steady watch that the was won in 1997 and 2000, with the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the League Cup captured in the seasons between.
“When he left Chelsea in 2002, it was unarguable that the club on the football pitch was markedly stronger than when he had begun his work here.
“We send our deepest condolences to Colin’s family and friends.”
Fans on social media echoed the tributes, with one saying: “Sad day indeed. Great servant for the club. RIP Colin.”
A second said: “May his soul rest in peace.”
A third added: “Rest well sir.”
Another said: “Forever in our hearts.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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