Sky Sports News senior correspondent Kaveh Solhekol reviews the chaotic campaign Chelsea have endured, the chain of events that culminated in Liam Rosenior’s ousting, and the possible candidates who could take the reins at the Blues. Rosenior’s tenure came to an abrupt end only six days after co‑owner Behdad Eghbali, the man who effectively runs Chelsea, publicly voiced his support for the manager at a sports‑business conference in Los Angeles.
Eghbali told the audience, "We stand behind Liam. We believe he can succeed over the long term." Yet within a week, two heavy defeats had already eroded that confidence and Rosenior was shown the door. The defeat to Manchester United on Saturday was a pivotal moment for the club’s Champions League aspirations, and it was also the backdrop for a fan‑organised anti‑ownership protest scheduled before kick‑off.
While some insiders claimed Eghbali’s LA appearance was a pre‑emptive move to quell the demonstration, the reality was that the speaking slot had been booked months earlier and was unrelated to the unrest. In an attempt to shift the narrative, Chelsea announced on Friday that Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo had extended his contract by a single year – pushing the expiry date from 2032 to 2033 and granting him a modest wage increase despite a season that many have described as underwhelming.
The same day, The Guardian published an exclusive interview with forward Cole Palmer, who affirmed 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, while generally positive, were relatively measured; he did not go out of his way to publicly champion the manager in the way fans might have hoped. Eghbali was absent from Stamford Bridge for the United clash, and the loss dealt a severe blow to Chelsea’s European hopes.
The situation deteriorated further when Liverpool and Aston Villa both scored late goals on Sunday, leaving Chelsea’s chances of finishing in the top five looking increasingly remote. Although the board initially indicated they would give Rosenior more time, the humiliating defeat to Brighton proved to be the final straw.
Eghbali flew in for the Brighton game, accompanied by senior executives including sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, and recruitment director Joe Shields. The post‑match atmosphere was tense; players appeared disengaged, supporters continued to protest against the owners, and for the first time chants demanding Rosenior’s departure echoed around the stadium. In the aftermath, a visibly shaken Rosenior lashed out at his squad during the press conference – a move that rarely ends well for a manager whose authority is already in question. Observations from the match suggested that several key figures, such as Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernández, were more aligned with former coach Enzo Maresca than with Rosenior, further eroding any remaining confidence in the manager’s tactics.
The club’s sporting leadership convened on Wednesday while the squad rested, weighing whether they could salvage Rosenior’s position or whether a change was inevitable. The consensus was clear: Rosenior had to leave, and Eghbali was the driving force behind the decision. With a manager out mid‑season, the immediate priority was identifying an interim caretaker. Chelsea’s options were limited, so they turned once again to Calum McFarlane, the 40‑year‑old who briefly oversaw the team after Maresca’s departure earlier in the year, overseeing a draw against Manchester City and a loss to Fulham.
While appointing a former player – perhaps a club legend like John Terry – might have resonated with fans, the board opted for continuity from within the existing structure. Chelsea’s official statement confirmed Rosenior’s exit and promised a period of reflection before naming a permanent successor. The larger question now concerns the future of the club’s controversial hierarchy, which currently includes five sporting directors.
Although a wholesale overhaul of that framework is unlikely in the summer, Chelsea’s history suggests that structural changes are never far away. When it comes to the permanent appointment, the club appears to be taking a measured approach. There is no definitive shortlist and no clear front‑runner at present. Agents will undoubtedly be buzzing, and Chelsea is expected to target a manager with proven Premier League credentials or a record of success at a high level.
Names being floated include Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner and Xabi Alonso, all of whom are reportedly available. Marco Silva could become free after leaving Fulham, while former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, currently managing Como, is a popular choice despite speculation that he may eventually be linked with Arsenal. Chelsea’s recent recruitment history shows they have interviewed a wide array of high‑profile candidates – Luis Enrique, Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi among them.
The next manager will almost certainly have to operate without Champions League football, a factor that could influence the futures of key players such as Fernández, who could be sold for a fee exceeding £100 million if a suitable offer emerges. The club also plans to bolster the squad with experienced signings this summer, describing the approach as a "tweak" rather than a complete overhaul of strategy. Financially, Chelsea faces a steep challenge: missing out on the Champions League could cost the club at least £80 million in revenue, compounding the already substantial losses reported in the latest accounts – a £262 million deficit, albeit one expected to shrink thanks to this season’s European participation and the FIFA Club World Cup triumph. Chelsea’s season has been a roller‑coaster of drama, from the infamous huddle and leaked team news to Fernández’s flirtation with Real Madrid and Cucurella’s public criticism of the club’s direction.
The story also includes the oddities of Axel Disasi’s loan to West Ham after being frozen out, Nicolas Jackson’s success at Bayern Munich while his replacement Liam Delap managed only a single league goal, and even a barber allegedly leaking information before the Brighton match. While many missteps have been identified on and off the pitch, the underlying issue appears to be a lack of cohesive leadership and a clear vision. The departure of Maresca earlier in the year, after feeling undermined, was a catalyst that set the season on a downward trajectory. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that nine of the players who suffered the heavy loss to Brighton were also part of the 3‑0 victory over Barcelona five months earlier – a reminder that talent alone cannot compensate for managerial instability.
Rosenior’s contract includes a break clause, meaning Chelsea will not be required to pay the full six years remaining; a seven‑figure settlement has been agreed upon as a fair resolution for both parties. He joins a long list of managers who have been dismissed by the club, including Carlo Ancelotti, José Mourinho, Thomas Tuchel and Roberto Di Matteo – the latter two having left after winning the European Cup. In summary, Chelsea now faces a period of transition. The interim appointment will guide the team through the remainder of the season, while the search for a long‑term manager continues.
The club must balance financial realities, squad rebuilding, and the need for a clear footballing philosophy if it hopes to return to the summit of English football.