In what comes as a sudden move, Premier League giants Chelsea have sacked head coach Liam Rosenior after a turbulent tenure that lasted just 119 days.
Despite arriving from French sister-club Strasbourg on an ambitious five-and-a-half-year contract, Rosenior was unable to stabilize the side, winning just 11 of his 23 matches across all competitions and leaving the team sitting 7th in the Premier League, leaving them struggling for Champions League contention.
The final blow to Liam Rosenior’s time at Stamford Bridge came during the 3-0 away defeat to Brighton on April 21.
The loss marked Chelsea’s fifth consecutive Premier League defeat without registering a single goal, plunging the club into its worst offensive drought since 1912.
Facing angry chants from the traveling supporters on the south coast, Rosenior himself condemned the team’s performance as both “indefensible” and “unacceptable.”
The result leaves the Blues trailing fifth-placed Liverpool by seven points in the race for the final Champions League qualification spot.
The Club’s Statement
In the wake of the dismissal of Liam Rosenior, Chelsea released a formal statement acknowledging the difficulty of the decision while highlighting the absolute necessity for a change in momentum.
“Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment midway through the season,” Chelsea said.
“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,” the statement added.
Addressing the future, the club added: “As the club works to bring stability to the head coach position, we will undertake a process of self-reflection to make the right long-term appointment.”
Who Will Be The Next Chelsea Manager?
As Chelsea’s hierarchy begins that process to find Liam Rosenior’s replacement, several high-profile candidates have already emerged as potential long-term replacements.
According to BBC Sport the club is closely considering departing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, Fulham head coach Marco Silva, whose current contract expires this July, and former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic.
While the search for a permanent manager gets underway, assistant coach Calum McFarlane has been appointed as interim manager until the end of the season. McFarlane is highly familiar with the role, having previously stepped in to take charge of the team in January following the sacking of Enzo Maresca.
Callum McFarlane’s first assignment will a high-profile FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United at the Wembley Stadium.