Susan Whelan steps down as CEO

[Gamble92]

49 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

Yes 

 

Fantastic. More wine?

[Globalfox]

8 hours ago, Gamble92 said:

So she was telling them this isn't sustainable and they ignored her and she decided to stay in position for years after despite this?

So you have a well paid job, you advise your boss they are wrong and the boss says thank you but you will do as I say. You immediately say but I am right so I will not do what you say and let me fire you. Wrong you go OK boss and do the best you can and take the money. This thread fails to acknowledge that a whole list of Leicester City employees took far bigger salaries and delivered nothing daka, coady ward, soumare, and a whole list of others. Amazing how these are the real robbing morons but those paid a lot less are the target.

[filbertway]

43 minutes ago, Globalfox said:

So you have a well paid job, you advise your boss they are wrong and the boss says thank you but you will do as I say. You immediately say but I am right so I will not do what you say and let me fire you. Wrong you go OK boss and do the best you can and take the money. This thread fails to acknowledge that a whole list of Leicester City employees took far bigger salaries and delivered nothing daka, coady ward, soumare, and a whole list of others. Amazing how these are the real robbing morons but those paid a lot less are the target.

Pretty sure they've had plenty of abuse on here

 

[Gamble92]

1 hour ago, Globalfox said:

So you have a well paid job, you advise your boss they are wrong and the boss says thank you but you will do as I say. You immediately say but I am right so I will not do what you say and let me fire you. Wrong you go OK boss and do the best you can and take the money. This thread fails to acknowledge that a whole list of Leicester City employees took far bigger salaries and delivered nothing daka, coady ward, soumare, and a whole list of others. Amazing how these are the real robbing morons but those paid a lot less are the target.

Suppose it depends if, knowing your job carries the reputation it does in the public eye, you have characteristics like morality and self respect. 

 

If what you're all saying is true then she clearly didn't give a shit because she's approaching retirement and doesn't care what job she gets next, if any. 

 

But yet again, that just means she was another part of a big problem. Absolutely no one is absolving Rudkin or Top of blame believe me. 

[CornwallFox]

1 hour ago, Globalfox said:

So you have a well paid job, you advise your boss they are wrong and the boss says thank you but you will do as I say. You immediately say but I am right so I will not do what you say and let me fire you. Wrong you go OK boss and do the best you can and take the money. This thread fails to acknowledge that a whole list of Leicester City employees took far bigger salaries and delivered nothing daka, coady ward, soumare, and a whole list of others. Amazing how these are the real robbing morons but those paid a lot less are the target.

I'm not sure there are too many people at the top with this kind of attitude. You work your way to the top of organisations to effect change and to lead. CEOs are responsible for business strategy and thought leadership. If you don't get to lead in your image then you leave. 

[Supergray22]

1 hour ago, CornwallFox said:

I'm not sure there are too many people at the top with this kind of attitude. You work your way to the top of organisations to effect change and to lead. CEOs are responsible for business strategy and thought leadership. If you don't get to lead in your image then you leave. 

That is what most of us would probably do. But if you really believe in your cause and your ability to steer the board and owners in the right direction over time then I don’t see a problem with someone persevering. If you quit then the board will just get someone in who will do their bidding. Even if you don’t get pushed out there may come a point though when you realise you’ve tried your best and it isn’t working and your gut/conscience tells you enough is enough. 

[HoustonFox]

6 hours ago, Globalfox said:

So you have a well paid job, you advise your boss they are wrong and the boss says thank you but you will do as I say. You immediately say but I am right so I will not do what you say and let me fire you. Wrong you go OK boss and do the best you can and take the money. This thread fails to acknowledge that a whole list of Leicester City employees took far bigger salaries and delivered nothing daka, coady ward, soumare, and a whole list of others. Amazing how these are the real robbing morons but those paid a lot less are the target.

Difference is that a CEO isn’t just a well paying job, it’s completely different. I think Susan stuck around for loyalty’s sake, no other reason. She was KP through and through and I’m sure tried to mentor and lead in the same spirit as Vichai would have wanted and was there to help Top as much as possible. I know for a fact she was highly sought after by other clubs and said no when we were at our highest. She was well regarded by all other execs in the PL and was the one that rallied clubs against the big 6. 
 

For her to leave like this means that there’s ultimately something that’s caused the split and she’s finally said she can’t be here, mainly because she’s either feeling responsible for our position and is stepping away or that she’s no longer able to influence and have the mandate she once did. I can see both pieces being true. 

[Spanner73]

On 09/10/2025 at 18:57, WarehamFox said:

Not going anywhere ! 
 

[TJB-fox]

I’m completely ignoring these wishy washy testimonials to Susan Whelan, regardless of the kind words said by former colleagues she was the CEO of a significantly underperforming business and should have got the chop a long time ago. Rudkin next please!

[Spanner73]

On 11/10/2025 at 02:37, HoustonFox said:

Difference is that a CEO isn’t just a well paying job, it’s completely different. I think Susan stuck around for loyalty’s sake, no other reason. She was KP through and through and I’m sure tried to mentor and lead in the same spirit as Vichai would have wanted and was there to help Top as much as possible. I know for a fact she was highly sought after by other clubs and said no when we were at our highest. She was well regarded by all other execs in the PL and was the one that rallied clubs against the big 6. 
 

For her to leave like this means that there’s ultimately something that’s caused the split and she’s finally said she can’t be here, mainly because she’s either feeling responsible for our position and is stepping away or that she’s no longer able to influence and have the mandate she once did. I can see both pieces being true. 

I’d bet anything that it’s the latter 

Like the rest of us she has given up trying to change something she can’t. 

[Vowels]

My poetry was lousy you said.

[AKCJ]

19 hours ago, TJB-fox said:

I’m completely ignoring these wishy washy testimonials to Susan Whelan, regardless of the kind words said by former colleagues she was the CEO of a significantly underperforming business and should have got the chop a long time ago. Rudkin next please!

It should have been Rudkin first.

[Fox92]

21 hours ago, TJB-fox said:

I’m completely ignoring these wishy washy testimonials to Susan Whelan, regardless of the kind words said by former colleagues she was the CEO of a significantly underperforming business and should have got the chop a long time ago. Rudkin next please!

Yes, part of a board that has overseen two relegations in three years. Any normal failing business would had numerous changes years ago.

[Tommy G]

On 10/10/2025 at 21:42, Gamble92 said:

Suppose it depends if, knowing your job carries the reputation it does in the public eye, you have characteristics like morality and self respect. 

 

If what you're all saying is true then she clearly didn't give a shit because she's approaching retirement and doesn't care what job she gets next, if any. 

 

But yet again, that just means she was another part of a big problem. Absolutely no one is absolving Rudkin or Top of blame believe me. 

Depends if you are 62 and think you could stomach it for another cpl of years to top your pension up.

 

The reputation point i can believe if you are earlier in your career - she knows full well she won't probably / doesn't need another high powered job, so in reality isn't that bothered. Not saying it's right or wrong, but likely.  

 

 

Edited 13 October 2025 by Tommy G

[Guest Mickyblueeyes]

Whelan leaving is one thing. And I wasn’t a fan. However…
 

Something that has gone under the radar. General Counsel and one of the brains behind the PSR fight back last season,  left the board and club last month too. 
 

The GC leaving at the same time as the CEO isn’t a good look. Even more so given his replacement is now a level below and a Head of Legal instead (not a board position). 

People leave companies all the time but not getting a like for like replacement in terms of position and what’s come out here has me worried. 

[MattFox]

35 minutes ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

Whelan leaving is one thing. And I wasn’t a fan. However…
 

Something that has gone under the radar. General Counsel and one of the brains behind the PSR fight back last season,  left the board and club last month too. 
 

The GC leaving at the same time as the CEO isn’t a good look. Even more so given his replacement is now a level below and a Head of Legal instead (not a board position). 

People leave companies all the time but not getting a like for like replacement in terms of position and what’s come out here has me worried. 

Almost like they needed someone to rubber stamp a dodgy sponsorship 

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/susan-whelan-leicester-city-job-11026279

 

Susan Whelan lands new job after leaving Leicester City as €250m stadium project revealed
Whelan stepped down from her role as CEO at the King Power Stadium after 15 years last year

Josh Holland Leicester City correspondent
11:21, 23 Jun 2026

Susan Whelan has a new job after leaving Leicester City last year(Image: 2015 Plumb Images)
Former Leicester City chief executive Susan Whelan has landed her first job since leaving the football club in October.

She oversaw the business operations of the club during its most successful period after being appointed to the role following King Power's takeover in 2010. Whelan had worked for the company before they bought City.

Now, Whelan has a new project in Dublin as independent chairperson of a consortium looking to build two Olympic-sized ice rinks in the south of Ireland's capital. Prime Arena Holding, whose investors include music promoter Denis Desmond and Hostelworld founder Tom Kennedy, are aiming to open a 8,000-capacity arena in Cherrywood by 2030.

"What makes Prime Arena particularly compelling is the combination of a world-class sport, conference and live entertainment arena alongside a permanent home for winter sports. The project has the potential to become a transformational asset for Dublin and Ireland and I am delighted to be joining the board at such an important stage in its development.”

Founder and CEO of Prime Arena Holdings, Dermot Rigley, said on Whelan's appointment: “Our ambition is to create Ireland’s first world-class sport, conference and live entertainment arena, inspired by iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York.

"Susan's track record of leadership, governance and delivery at the highest levels of international sport makes her exceptionally well-placed to help guide the project through its next phase."

[Stuntman_Mike]

I wish Rudkin was passionate about ice rinks instead.

 

 

Edited 23 June by Stuntman_Mike

[VLC86]

I’m sure she’ll turn into into a slick operation 

[CL Fox]

7 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

I’m sure she’ll turn into into a slick operation 

Probably will to be honest. Very good at this sort of thing.

[Free Falling Foxes]

I can't be the only one who clicked on this hoping to read she had just published a warts-n-all autobiography that blows the lid off the LCFC decline under KP.

Can I?

[AyewJoking]

38 minutes ago, Free Falling Foxes said:

I can't be the only one who clicked on this hoping to read she had just published a warts-n-all autobiography that blows the lid off the LCFC decline under KP.

Can I?

bet rudderz shit himself 

[Paninistickers]

4 hours ago, CL Fox said:

Probably will to be honest. Very good at this sort of thing.

Is she? 

 

She has some unorthodox business methods on the charge sheet. Turning away sponsorships. Refusing to put match tickets on sale.  Outgoings exceeding incomings. 

 

 

[alex]

1 hour ago, Paninistickers said:

Is she? 

 

She has some unorthodox business methods on the charge sheet. Turning away sponsorships. Refusing to put match tickets on sale.  Outgoings exceeding incomings. 

 

 

Agree! 

[fazzyfox]

6 hours ago, Stuntman_Mike said:

I wish Rudkin was passionate about ice rinks instead.

 

 

He’s been skating on thin ice for years