The slow death of deposed King Peter Kenyon

Not only did he fail to take his customary role on the top table to show off Chelsea's new man, but as he entered the room he was followed by Frank Arnesen - the newly promoted sporting director.

Much of the Roman Abramovich era has been dominated by reports and rumours of power struggles behind the scenes as the club's lieutenants did battle to win the Russian multi-billioniare's favour.

After deciding to desert Manchester United, the club he supported, for Chelsea's riches in 2003, Kenyon certainly appeared to have pride of place next to Abramovich's throne for the first few years.

He made a significant impact in the transfer market by beating United to the signings of Arjen Robben, Michael Essien and Michael Ballack.

Kenyon was also behind the decision to look for a new manager while Claudio Ranieri was still in charge and recruited Jose Mourinho, who went on to become the club's most successful coach, from Porto in 2004.

Yet following the rows between Mourinho and Abramovich which effectively cost the Special One his job in 2007, the 55-year-old has experienced a steady decline in his influence and fortune, and no-one associated with Chelsea will be that surprised he is standing aside next month.

Arnesen has certainly stolen some of Kenyon's limelight in recent times and was promoted from the director of youth development to sporting director just two months ago.

The Dane's presence at the first press conference to introduce Ancelotti (right) sent out the message that he was now seen on more of an equal footing and he was given more responsibility on transfers, while Kenyon was left to concentrate on commercial projects.

Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was very much Kenyon's choice to succeed Avram Grant 15 months ago, was sacked while the former chief executive was away on holiday in February.

He also had little say in Ancelotti's appointment, with Abramovich taking much more of a hands-on role in discussions with the Milan coach in April.

Considering the loud boasts and confident claims Kenyon has made during his years at Stamford Bridge, his time will be largely regarded as a disappointment. Chelsea will point to the six major trophies won and a significant increase in their fanbase around the world as a sign of his impact. He also negotiated some significant sponsorship contracts which have brought vast revenues into the club.

But they are still some way short of his initial target of breaking even by the end of next year, having declared losses of £65.7million in the 12 months to June 2008.

His hopes of 'turning the world blue' are still a long way from fruition as their failure to win the Champions League still leaves them in the shade of Manchester United and Liverpool on these shores as well as the traditional heavyweights in Europe - Real Madrid, Barcelona and AC Milan.

It was not a surprise that United fans turned him into public hate figure following his desertion from Old Trafford, but significantly he was just as unpopular with a large majority of Chelsea's following.

Rightly or wrongly, he has been blamed by many for Chelsea's failure to win the League the past three seasons, mainly because of the club's transfer dealings, which have failed to hit the heights since his early successes.

The first team has remained largely unchanged since their last title triumph in 2006 and a number of players have come and gone since then without making much of an impact.

But it was Kenyon's consistent proclamations in the media spotlight which particularly unimpressed his critics in the game.

His foolish boast that the 2005-6 title race would be won from a 'small group of one' did little to negate Chelsea's arrogant image, and he said Chelsea had to win two Champions Leagues by 2014 to be considered a success.

Much to the supporters' anger he also led the players up the steps when they lost in the final to United in 2008 and gratefully accepted a loser's medal when it was put over his neck. United legend Sir Bobby Charlton was more embarassed when he was put in the same position, and quickly stepped to one side to let the players take the acclaim.

Kenyon was also exposed in his treatment of Ranieri, having declared he would be given a chance to prove he should stay in the job after arriving in January 2004. However, he later confessed in an official club DVD that he knew after one week that the Italian would be sacked.

The past 12 months have seen Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck fulfil more of the media duties and there has been a noticeable lack of ill-advised soundbites.

Some will point at the timing of this announcement due to FIFA's transfer ban being imposed only two weeks ago, but his departure appeared inevitable regardless.

Chelsea will now look for a replacement and Kenyon's right-hand man, Communications and Public Affairs Director Simon Greenberg, is an early favourite to take the post.