Chelsea Football Club have officially ended their association with head coach Liam Rosenior, just 107 days after he was appointed to the role. The decision follows a string of poor results that left the Blues languishing in seventh place in the Premier League and with their Champions League qualification hopes fading fast.
Calum McFarlane, who previously stepped in as caretaker after Enzo Maresca’s departure earlier in the season, will again take charge of the first team. He will lead Chelsea into the FA Cup semi‑final against Leeds United at Wembley and remain in the interim position for the remainder of the campaign.
McFarlane’s brief stint as caretaker in January saw him guide the side to a 1-1 draw with Manchester City and a narrow 2-1 loss at Fulham, the latter match featuring a first‑half red card for Marc Cucurella. Those two games demonstrated his ability to steady a turbulent squad, and the club’s hierarchy have now turned to him again as they search for a permanent manager. At present, Chelsea have not entered into any formal discussions with potential candidates and no shortlist has been compiled.
In a club statement the board said it would "undertake a process of self‑reflection to make the right long‑term appointment," emphasizing that the decision to dismiss Rosenior was not taken lightly. Rosenior’s arrival in January had been something of a surprise. He was hired on a six‑year contract after moving from Strasbourg, a club owned by Chelsea’s parent company BlueCo. However, his tenure quickly unraveled as Chelsea suffered seven defeats in eight league matches, including a 3-0 loss to Brighton that sparked vocal chants from supporters demanding his exit.
That defeat marked the club’s fifth consecutive Premier League loss, a run in which they failed to score in any game – the worst goalless losing streak the Blues have endured since 1912. When Rosenior departed, Chelsea were seven points behind fifth‑placed Liverpool, who still had a game in hand. The club had been sitting eighth when Maresca left, and despite a brief uplift under Rosenior, the results continued to dip. The team also endured a heavy 8-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League round of 16 and a Carabao Cup semi‑final loss to Arsenal.
On the brighter side, Rosenior did guide Chelsea to FA Cup victories over Charlton Athletic, Hull City and a penalty shoot‑out win against Wrexham, before a 7-0 demolition of League One side Port Vale secured a place in the semi‑final against Leeds. The official club announcement read: "Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with head coach Liam Rosenior. 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.
Calum McFarlane will take charge of the team as interim head coach until the end of the season with support from existing club backroom staff, as we strive to achieve European qualification and progress in the FA Cup. 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.". Sky Sports News reported that the club does not expect to pay Rosenior the full amount of his lengthy contract, noting that a break clause was built into the agreement. Such clauses are common in modern football contracts and allow both parties to part ways without a massive financial burden, provided the terms are met.
Rosenior’s own words after the Brighton defeat highlighted his frustration: "That was unacceptable in every aspect of the game. I keep coming out and defending the players, that was indefensible, that performance tonight.
The manner of the goals we conceded, the duels that we lost. Something has to change drastically right here, right now. We need to look in the mirror. I need to look in the mirror.
But I can't keep coming out here and defending some of the things that we're seeing... The general attitude, spirit was lacking – determination from three or four of the starting eleven. That's nowhere near enough for this club.
I can't come out and lie. I tell the truth. That was an unacceptable performance at every level.".
Commentary from pundits such as Paul Merson underscored the dual pressures that often lead to a manager’s dismissal: lack of fan support and loss of confidence among the players. Merson observed, "When you get the sack as a manager, you get it for two reasons: either the fans are on your back, or the players aren't running for you. This is double bubble. He took the blame and backed the players, but Tuesday was a sign that he knows he's in major trouble and needs to look after himself." Looking ahead, several names have been floated as potential long‑term candidates.
Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner and Xabi Alonso are reportedly available, while Marco Silva could become an option if he departs Fulham. Chelsea have also previously engaged in talks with Luis Enrique, Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto De Zerbi and Hansi Flick when vacancies arose, though it remains unclear whether any of these high‑profile managers would be willing to work within the club’s current multi‑club structure. Statistically, Chelsea’s recent form has been alarming.
In the five league defeats that preceded Rosenior’s exit, the team failed to register a single goal, marking the worst goalless losing run in over a century. Moreover, the Blues completed their first tackle of a match only after 32 minutes of play against Brighton, and by halftime ten of the eleven starters had not made a single tackle.
Their expected goals (xG) figure of 0.04 in the first half of that game was lower than any half recorded by Enzo Maresca during his tenure, highlighting a severe decline in attacking potency. As the club navigates this transitional period, the primary objectives remain clear: secure a place in European competition for the next season and advance as far as possible in the FA Cup.
With McFarlane at the helm for the short term, Chelsea hope to stabilise performances, restore confidence among the squad, and buy the board enough time to conduct a thorough search for a permanent head coach who can rebuild the team’s identity and restore its status among England’s elite clubs.