Brains behind Chelsea’s famous academy for 20 years QUITS in ‘insane blow’ with Blues fans ‘worried’

CHELSEA fans are devastated amid news academy director Neil Bath has left the club.

Bath, 58, has been manager of the Blues’ academy set-up since 2004.

Neil Bath, centre, is leaving Chelsea after 20 years as academy managerGetty

Mason Mount and Reece James are among the players brought through by Bath at ChelseaGetty

He played an integral part in bringing through the club’s young stars – a host of whom broke through into the first team.

They included Reece James, Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

This helped at a critical time for Chelsea as they had a transfer ban imposed on them, increasing the importance of academy talent.

Jim Fraser, who joined Chelsea’s academy as a director shortly after Bath, is also set to leave.

An official announcement is expected in the coming days.

And fans are beside themselves after learning of club legend Bath’s departure.

One passionate supporter said: “Neil Bath leaving Chelsea is an insane blow.

“Look around the whole of Europe for the last decade, at the sheer amount of top level professional footballers that have come through his ranks.

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“I thought his promotion a year ago was a positive thing, now I am worried.

“People can argue about their differing views on ‘the project’ moving forwards, and everyone is entitled to their position. But this is just categorically a loss.

“The consistent evidence of success in Bath’s work is there for all to see. We don’t know the story yet, but damn.”

While another added: “Nothing surprises me anymore. These clowns are tearing the club apart.”

A third said: “A massive, massive loss. Possibly marks the end of Chelsea being a destination for elite scholar development.

“Yet I fully expect the people who have been brainwashed by BlueCo’s empty promises to try and rationalise it as a good thing.”

And a fourth responded: “Systematically removing all the components that made us worth £3bn is quite something.”

Chelsea’s academy trophies over the last decade include five FA Youth Cups, two Under-18s Premier League titles, an U21 Premier League title and two UEFA Youth Leagues.

Speaking about the Blues’ youth success, Bath previously said: “I will always say it is a wider effort from everybody involved.

“There is a particular focus around scouting and coaching, and the coaches won’t succeed if the talent is not of the right level.

“That is why the likes of Jim Fraser, Darren Grace and their recruitment team deserve credit for bringing in such talented players from a very young age.

“That is a huge part of our development programme. On the other hand, you need the right coaches.

“”Fundamentally, it is about having good staff in all areas who work as a team.”

Ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard credited Bath for his impact when Mount and Abraham scored in the Premier League.

Lampard said: “We had a couple of pints with Neil Bath!”