Kenyon starts new role

He has taken on his new task declaring the job represents "the single most exciting challenge in European football over the next five years."

And Kenyon has instantly set his sights on silverware, giving his backing to coach Claudio Ranieri.

He said: If you leave investment aside it will be a huge disappointment if Chelsea don't win anything."

Kenyon added: "If you include the investment, however, it will be a failure if we don't win something.

"That's the way the manager will see it and the way we see it because we're expected to win things -- that's what we do."

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has been constantly linked with the Chelsea job, but Kenyon moved to end the speculation.

Kenyon said: "Claudio has a contract until 2007 and we are still involved in all the major competitions.

For me staying until 2007 would be right, but I am Claudio Ranieri, I am not Roman Abramovich or Peter Kenyon Claudio Ranieri

"I really want to close down all the speculation although I am realistic enough to know that is most unlikely.

"What we really have to do, Claudio and myself, is focus on winning something and the other stuff doesn't help.

"What we should not forget, however, is that the team are still third in the Premiership -- although there may be some disappointment because of the start we made - and have done better in Europe than many people expected."

Kenyon describes Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as being "passionate" about the club and insists the Russian is dedicated to bringing success on and off the pitch.

"This is a serious commitment by a very serious businessman.

"He wants Chelsea to achieve European status, to be number one, and while we are prepared to invest we also want, over a period of time, to get a return for that investment."

Meanwhile, Ranieri maintained that Kenyon stating anything less than winning a trophy will deem the season a failure does not put him under extra pressure.

"We want to win something," said Ranieri. "It is our ambition and we will try, but could I still go.

"It is possible because it is all a show and I am part of it.

"For me staying until 2007 would be right, but I am Claudio Ranieri, I am not Roman Abramovich or Peter Kenyon.

"I've had four years here but I'm not scared about going because I come from a country where managers can easily be changed by clubs three or four times a season.

"The most important thing is that at the end I can look everybody in the face."