Paul Green’s departure from Chelsea after 13 years marked the end of a highly successful era for the club’s women’s side, during which he oversaw the accumulation of 19 major trophies. In a recent interview with BBC Sport, Green reflected on his time at the club, noting that many of his medals had been stored away in a box under the bed until he stepped away. He said that the decision to leave came as a result of a shift in direction at the club, but he remained proud of the progress made and the legacy he left behind.
Green’s tenure saw Chelsea dominate the Women’s Super League, winning six consecutive titles, the last of which was secured under Sonia Bompastor in 2025. The team also reached the Women’s Champions League final in 2021, a testament to the “incredible time” he described, when former manager Emma Hayes passed on the vision that ultimately flourished under his guidance. He credited Hayes for selling him the potential that translated into sustained success, and he expressed admiration for the players’ achievements, saying they would be difficult for any other club to match.
After a seven‑month break from football, Green was appointed chief football officer of Bay FC, a San Francisco club owned by Bay Collective, in September. He described the response to his exit from Chelsea as “overwhelming” and explained that he needed time to adjust, spending that period with family. Green praised the support he received from the wider women’s football community and said he was excited about the new challenge at Bay FC, where he will apply his transfer‑market expertise to recruit top talent and build a strong organisational structure. He highlighted the club’s upcoming move into new training facilities and its current position near the bottom of the National Women’s Soccer League, noting that he intends to act quickly in the transfer window to improve the squad.
During his time at Chelsea, Green was instrumental in developing homegrown English talents such as Aggie Beever‑Jones, who was part of England’s Euro 2025 winning squad, and Lexi Potter, who recently debuted for the national team. He stressed the importance of providing young players with competitive minutes, suggesting that a robust loan programme and partnerships with other clubs are essential. Green also mentioned the potential benefits of a “B team” structure, similar to those used in Germany and Spain, to give academy graduates more playing opportunities.
The FA’s director of women’s football, Sue Day, and England manager Sarina Wiegman echoed concerns about the limited game time for young players and called for collaborative solutions among clubs, the FA, and the league. As Green embarks on his new role at Bay FC, he remains committed to building a competitive team while drawing on his extensive experience from Chelsea’s golden era.