The recruitment process has already begun, and the club is looking for someone with a 'minimum of three years' experience with a major City practice', according to Legal Week. The successful candidate will be working with Skadden Arprs Meagher & Flom, legal adviser to Russian owner Roman Abramovich. The club's chair Bruce Buck is also managing partner of the London office of Skadden Arps. The other main external adviser is Squire Sanders. 

Russian - a plus

The work will centre around commercial contracts, IP, EU issues, employment and sports law - with a strong sideline on overseeing the work done by the external advisers on arbitration, discipline and commercial matters. A second European language, possibly Russian, would be a 'plus' for any applicant, according to the job description.