Columbus Crew GM Tim Bezbatchenko leaving for EPL job
Crew president and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko is set to accept a job with Black Knight Football, sources tell The Dispatch. English Premier League's AFC Bournemouth is among Black Knight Football's holdings.
It is expected that Issa Tall, current Crew assistant general manager and director of player personal and strategy, will take over Bezbatchenko's role.
Bezbatchenko, a Westerville native, joined the Crew in 2019 as one of the first members of the front office hired by the organization's current ownership group.
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During his tenure as general manager, Bezbatchenko has brought in players such as former Crew all-star Lucas Zelarayan and one of Columbus' leading scorers with four goals in MLS play this season Cucho Hernandez. He also hired current Crew coach Wilfried Nancy. In the span of Bezbatchenko's over five seasons with the club, the Crew have won the 2020 and 2023 MLS Cup, as well as advanced to the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup final.
With Black Knight Football, Bezbatchenko's role will include overseeing AFC Bournemouth, one of the three soccer teams under the operation's umbrella.
Black Knight Football is owned by American businessman Bill Foley, the owner of NHL's Vegas Golden Knights. Along with Bournemouth, Foley owns soccer teams in France and Scotland, which Bezbatchenko will also oversee.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew GM Tim Bezbatchenko leaving for EPL's AFC Bournemouth owner
