For a time after Abramovich's arrival, there was little outward change in Bates' figurehead role and it seemed the Russian was happy to allow Bates to carry on more or less as normal.
But gradually Ambramovich has put his own stamp on things and since chief executive Peter Kenyon got stuck into his new job, Bates has seemed more and more of a peripheral figure.
First went his programme notes, then he was no longer seen on Chelsea TV and last week he was not part of the Chelsea party that went to Stuttgart for their Champions League match.
There has been talk that, with some of the millions he has made from the deal, Bates will buy into another club and he has been linked with QPR and Sheffield Wednesday.
It is reported that Bates' contract stipulates that he will continue to accompany Kenyon to Premier League meetings until next year and he is still chairman of the FA Cup committee.
Whatever his plans, there is little doubt we have yet to hear the last of the great football patriarch. But will Bates' successor still be around when his beard turns white?
