Sonia Bompastor signs Chelsea contract extension | OneFootball

Sonia Bompastor has signed a contract extension that will keep her at Chelsea until the summer of 2030.

The 45-year-old arrived in London in May 2024, having previously become the first person to list the UEFA Women’s Champions League as both a player and a manager during her time at Olympique Lyonnais.

Bompastor guided Chelsea to a domestic treble in 2024/25, lifting the Barclays Women’s Super League, Adobe Women’s FA Cup and Subway Women’s League Cup – and becoming the first team to complete an unbeaten domestic season in more than two decades.

In a press release issued on chelseafc.com, Bompastor said: “I want to thank the club for their unwavering support and the trust they have shown in me. It’s a privilege to lead this team and I could not be prouder to represent Chelsea.

“Our fans have made me feel at home since the day I arrived and I am grateful for the many special moments we have shared together so far. Lifting the WSL trophy at Stamford Bridge and FA Cup at Wembley with our supporters are memories I will never forget.

“Our success as a team is built on grit, resilience and intensity and we do not settle for anything less than winning. We have so much left to fight for, we are competing on four fronts, and we will give everything, every single day to make our supporters proud. My focus is firmly on bringing more success to this amazing club.”

Analysis: Contract extension is a statement of trust amidst shaky season

Sonia Bompastor had big shoes to fill when she arrived in London.

Succeeding the legendary Emma Hayes, the 45-year-old wasted no time getting to work and the results just kept coming. By the end of her first season, Bompastor had achieved a feat that Hayes hadn’t managed once during more than a decade in charge: an unbeaten domestic treble.

In September, then, offering Sonia Bompastor a new contract would have appeared to be the obvious decision. But as time has passed, Chelsea’s performances have slipped – and so have their title chances.

It is early February and there are still eight games to play in the Barclays Women’s Super League, but Chelsea find themselves 12 points behind leaders Manchester City. Arsenal and Spurs sit just a point behind them, and so at this point, even UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification is far from guaranteed for Bompastor’s Blues.

Of course, it’s not all over just yet. The Blues have booked their place in March’s Subway Women’s League Cup final, and they’re into the fifth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup. Both of those games are against a high-flying Manchester United side, who have proven difficult to beat this season. Then there’s the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals, where they’re set to face Arsenal or OH Leuven.

Following defeat to Arsenal in the WSL, Bompastor admitted that the title fight was over. Emma Hayes famously did the same following defeat to Liverpool in her final season in charge, only for the Blues to lift the trophy at Old Trafford on the final day of the campaign – and Bompastor backtracked on her concession at the end of January.

Sporting Directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley commented: “Renewing her contract reflects our belief in her leadership, her vision, and the stability she brings to the club.

“There is still a lot to play for this season as we continue to compete for all major trophies. We are very excited for Sonia and the team for the next phase both in the short and long term.”