Chelsea sporting director Paul Winstanley is facing questions from the club's owners following Emma Hayes' shock announcement that she is leaving at the end of the season.
Mail Sport has learned that Winstanley had been tasked with agreeing a new contract with Hayes at the start of the season, but failed to secure a deal before the club's iconic manager received an alternative offer from the United States national team.
Hayes is understood to have indicated a desire to stay at Chelsea for the rest of her career during initial talks with the club, but the negotiations were placed on hold due to Winstanley focussing on other issues.