Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol reviews the chaotic campaign Chelsea have endured so far, explains the chain of events that led to Liam Rosenior’s termination, and speculates on who might steer the Blues next. Rosenior’s exit came just six days after the club’s most influential figure, co‑owner Behdad Eghbali, publicly voiced his support for the manager. Eghbali, who effectively runs Chelsea’s day‑to‑day operations, addressed a sports‑business summit in Los Angeles last Thursday and said, "We stand behind Liam.
We believe he can succeed over the long term." The endorsement was meant to reassure supporters, yet within a week the club suffered two heavy defeats and the manager’s contract was terminated. The Manchester United fixture on Saturday was pivotal for Chelsea’s Champions League qualification hopes, and the match was also set to feature a fan‑organised protest against the ownership. Sources close to the club insist Eghbali’s appearance in Los Angeles was arranged months in advance and was not a pre‑emptive move to defuse the demonstration. On Friday, Chelsea attempted to shift the narrative by announcing that Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo had agreed to a new deal.
The extension merely added a single year to his existing contract, pushing the expiry date from 2032 to 2033, and included a modest wage increase despite a season that many observers described as underwhelming. The same day, The Guardian published an exclusive interview with forward Cole Palmer.
Palmer, who had been linked with a move to Manchester United, reiterated his desire to stay at Chelsea and praised Rosenior as a capable coach who simply needed a proper pre‑season to implement his ideas. Palmer’s comments were unusually outspoken for a player who typically keeps a low profile, and some critics argued he could have been more emphatic in defending his manager.
Eghbali was absent from Stamford Bridge for the United game, which ended in a loss that dented Chelsea’s European ambitions. The defeat was compounded on Sunday when Liverpool and Aston Villa each scored late goals, leaving Chelsea’s top‑five finish virtually out of reach. Although the board initially indicated they would give Rosenior more time, the humiliating loss to Brighton proved to be the final straw.
Eghbali flew in for that match, accompanied by senior executives including sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, as well as recruitment director Joe Shields. By Tuesday night it was clear that a change was inevitable. Players appeared disengaged, fans continued to chant against the owners, and for the first time sustained chants demanding Rosenior’s departure echoed around the stadium. In the post‑match interview, a visibly shaken Rosenior lashed out at his squad—a move that rarely bodes well for a coach’s tenure.
While it is easy to claim a manager has lost the dressing room when results go sour, the on‑field performance on Tuesday suggested that several key players no longer bought into Rosenior’s tactical vision. Midfielders such as Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernández were reported to be more aligned with former director Enzo Maresca than with Rosenior.
Chelsea’s sporting leadership convened on Wednesday while the squad rested, debating whether they could salvage Rosenior’s position or if a change was unavoidable. The consensus was that the manager had to leave, and Eghbali emerged as the principal architect of the decision. When a club parts ways with a manager mid‑season, the immediate concern is identifying an interim caretaker. Chelsea’s options were limited, leading them to revert to Calum McFarlane, a 40‑year‑old who previously oversaw two games after Maresca’s departure earlier in the year—a draw against Manchester City and a loss to Fulham.
While appointing a former player such as John Terry might have delighted the fanbase and provided a morale boost, the board opted for an internal appointment rather than a high‑profile former star. Chelsea’s official statement confirmed Rosenior’s exit and promised a period of reflection before naming a permanent successor.
The statement also raised questions about the future of the club’s controversial hierarchy, which currently features five sporting directors. Although a major overhaul of that structure is unlikely over the summer, Chelsea’s history suggests that no arrangement remains static for long.
Looking ahead, the club has made it clear that they will take their time to secure a long‑term manager. There is currently no shortlist and no clear front‑runner.
Agents will undoubtedly be buzzing with interest, and Chelsea are expected to target candidates with proven Premier League credentials or a record of success at a high level. Potential names being floated include Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner and Xabi Alonso, all of whom are reportedly available this summer. Marco Silva could become free after leaving Fulham, while former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, now managing Como, would be a popular choice—though his long‑term ambitions might eventually lead him elsewhere, perhaps even to Arsenal.
In previous transfer windows, Chelsea have interviewed a wide array of high‑profile managers, ranging from Luis Enrique and Hansi Flick to Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi. Any new appointment is likely to face the reality that the club will not be competing in the Champions League next season, a factor that could influence the decisions of key players. For instance, Enzo Fernández could be sold if a club offers more than £100 million, given the reduced European exposure.
The club also plans to reinforce the squad with experienced signings this summer, describing the approach as a "tweak" rather than a wholesale overhaul of the recruitment strategy. Financially, Chelsea’s recent accounts reveal a loss of £262 million, with an anticipated hit of at least £80 million from missing out on Champions League revenue next season. The shortfall will also make it more challenging to secure a lucrative front‑of‑shirt sponsor, a priority for the owners. Nonetheless, the club expects the next set of accounts to improve, buoyed by the Champions League run this season and the FIFA Club World Cup triumph secured last summer.
Chelsea have become accustomed to operating under intense scrutiny, and this season has resembled a soap opera more than a football campaign. Memorable moments include the infamous huddle, the alleged mole leaking team news, Fernández’s flirtations with Real Madrid, Cucurella’s public criticism of Maresca’s influence, and the decision to bench Fernández in a crucial match against Manchester City. The season also saw Axel Disasi, once a promising centre‑back, sent on loan to West Ham after being frozen out, while Nicolas Jackson, mocked for his performances, found success at Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, Liam Delap, his replacement, managed only a single league goal. Even Cucurella’s barber earned a footnote for allegedly leaking team information on social media before the Brighton match.
Mistakes have been made both on and off the pitch, but the tipping point was Maresca’s feeling of being undermined, prompting his departure just before the new year. While criticism of the club’s operations is warranted, it is worth noting that nine of the players who endured the humiliating defeat to Brighton also featured in the 3‑0 victory over Barcelona five months earlier. This underscores that the managerial appointment can be a significant factor, but it is not the sole cause of the club’s woes.
Rosenior’s contract includes a break clause, meaning Chelsea will not be required to honour the remaining six years. He is set to receive a seven‑figure settlement, which is considered a fair resolution for both parties. Historically, Chelsea have not shied away from dismissing high‑profile managers; the likes of Carlo Ancelotti, José Mourinho, Thomas Tuchel and Roberto Di Matteo have all left Stamford Bridge, with the latter two departing after winning the European Cup.
As the summer window approaches, Chelsea will need to navigate the dual challenges of appointing a new manager and rebuilding a squad capable of competing for top‑four honors while stabilising their finances. The next chapter for the Blues remains unwritten, but the club’s resilience and resources suggest they will continue to be a central figure in English football’s ever‑changing narrative.