Chelsea's massive staff exodus under Boehly continues as head physiotherapist Laurent leaves club

Chelsea’s off-field exodus has continued with long-serving head physiotherapist Thierry Laurent leaving the club in another major change to their medical department.

Chelsea are parting ways with Laurent who will depart after 17 years at Chelsea and follows medical director Dr Paco Biosca, who was in his position for 11 years, in leaving the Stamford Bridge club.

Laurent’s exit will be the latest in a growing list of notable departures from Chelsea since their takeover by the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium.

They will make their own appointments as they reshape Chelsea’s medical department, along with other areas of the club, following their purchase.

Laurent arrived at Chelsea in 2005 with an impressive CV having worked at France’s national football centre Clairefontaine for 15 years.

He was France’s physio at the 1996 Olympics and between 1997 and 2005 before a second spell between 2012 and 2014, being part of a setup that went to seven major international tournaments.

He was initially responsible for the care of Chelsea’s first team players on his arrival in 2005 before becoming head physio in 2014, leading the first team’s medics while also overlooking the academy and ladies side’s medical teams.

Chelsea’s new owners conducted a 100-day review of the entire following their takeover at the end of last season and manager Thomas Tuchel was the biggest casualty, being sacked earlier this month just seven games into the season

During the summer chairman Bruce Buck, influential director Marina Granovskaia and technical and performance advisor were among the members of the Chelsea hierarchy to leave, resulting in Boehly taking over as chairman and interim sporting director as well as being a co-controlling owner.

Head of international scouting Scott McLachlan also moved on for a new challenge at the start of this month, though he had decided to seek a new challenge before Chelsea’s change of ownership.

Last week saw other significant changes along with Dr Biosca, with commercial director Damian Willoughby being sacked and the departure of respected director of communications Steve Atkins also being announced following his appointment as McCLaren Racing's new chief communications officer.