Chelsea have sacked Liam Rosenior after just three months in the job following an awful run of form that has seen the Blues lose five Premier League games on the spin without scoring and left their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League in tatters.
A pathetic 3-0 defeat to Brighton on Tuesday, after which Rosenior tore into his players for their “indefensible” performance proved to be the final straw and the hierarchy have ripped up his six-year contract in a move that reports suggest will cost the Blues £24m.
Rosenior was only appointed in January and was viewed as a long-term successor to Enzo Maresca, following the Italian’s sudden departure, but now Chelsea must once again begin the hunt for a new manager, with no one specific currently lined up. Former Blues players Filipe Luis, who recently left Flamengo, and Como boss Cesc Fabregas are among the names being linked, with outgoing Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner, ex-Barcelona manager Xavi and soon to be out of contract Fulham head honcho Marco Silva also high up in the betting.
Chelsea face an FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United at Wembley on Sunday and are languishing in seventh in the Premier League, seven points behind Liverpool in fifth, who also have a game in hand.
Follow all the fallout from Rosenior’s sacking with our live blog below:
Liam Rosenior sacked by Chelsea three months into six-year contract
Club statement
A club statement read: “On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, we would like to place on record our gratitude to Liam and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the Club. Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment mid-way through the season.
“This has not been a decision the Club has taken lightly, however recent results and performances have fallen below the necessary standards with still so much more to play for this season. Everyone at Chelsea FC wishes Liam every success in the future.”
Liam Rosenior sacked by Chelsea
Calum McFarlane will take charge of the team as Interim Head Coach until the end of the season, starting with Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds.
Liam Rosenior departs Chelsea
Chelsea have parted ways with Liam Rosenior as their head coach after the worst run of results in 114 years.
Chelsea have lost their last five Premier League matches under Rosenior and they are now at risk of missing out on a place in the Champions League next season.
Rosenior took over from Enzo Maresca after the former Chelsea boss was sacked in January and Chelsea will now “undertake a process of self-reflection to make the right long-term appointment”.
LIAM ROSENIOR SACKED BY CHELSEA
Hello and welcome.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has been dismissed from his post following a string of poor results that left the club’s hopes of Champions League football hanging by a thread.
The club’s worst run since 1912 saw Chelsea lose five games in a row without scoring, and despite a fairly encouraging start from Rosenior months ago, the young Englishman has been sacked by the club’s controversial BlueCo. ownership.
The club now begin another search for a new manager to try and steady the ship at Stamford Bridge, and we’ll have all the latest reaction and updates right here.
