Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol recaps Chelsea's turbulent campaign, examines the chain of events that led to Liam Rosenior’s dismissal, and explores the pool of candidates who might steer the Blues forward. Rosenior’s tenure came to an abrupt end just six days after the club’s most influential figure publicly voiced his support. Co‑owner Behdad Eghbali, who effectively runs Chelsea’s day‑to‑day affairs, broke his usual silence at a sports‑business forum in Los Angeles last Thursday. "We stand behind Liam," Eghbali declared.
"We believe he can deliver long‑term success for the club." The endorsement, however, proved short‑lived. Within a week, two heavy defeats had already rattled the squad, and Rosenior was shown the door. The Saturday clash with Manchester United was a make‑or‑break fixture for Chelsea’s Champions League ambitions, and a fan‑organised anti‑ownership protest was scheduled for kick‑off. Sources close to the club insist that Eghbali’s LA appearance was not a pre‑emptive move to defuse the protest; the speaking slot had been booked months earlier.
On Friday, the club tried to lift spirits by announcing a contract extension for Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caícedo. The deal, originally set to run until 2032, was merely prolonged by a single year to 2033 and accompanied by a modest wage increase, despite Caícedo’s underwhelming performances this season. 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 remain at Chelsea and praised Rosenior as a competent manager who simply needed a proper pre‑season to implement his ideas. Palmer’s comments, while positive, were cautious; he stopped short of a wholehearted endorsement, perhaps reflecting the uneasy atmosphere inside the dressing room.
Eghbali was absent from Stamford Bridge for the United game. The 2‑0 loss dealt a severe blow to Chelsea’s European hopes, and subsequent late goals against Liverpool and Aston Villa on Sunday made a top‑five finish look increasingly unlikely. Even though the board initially signalled they would give Rosenior more time, the humiliating defeat to Brighton the following week proved decisive.
Eghbali flew in for the match, accompanied by senior executives including sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, and recruitment director Joe Shields. Tuesday night made it clear that a change was inevitable.
Players appeared disengaged, supporters continued to chant against the owners, and for the first time a sustained chorus called for Rosenior’s exit. In the post‑match press conference, a visibly shaken Rosenior lashed out at his squad – a move that rarely ends well for a manager. Observations from the game suggested that confidence in Rosenior’s tactics was eroding. Key figures such as Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernández seemed more aligned with former coach Enzo Maresca than with Rosenior, hinting at a fractured dressing‑room.
While the squad rested on Wednesday, Chelsea’s sporting leadership convened to decide the next steps. Could they salvage Rosenior’s position, or was a dismissal unavoidable? The consensus was clear: Rosenior had to leave, and Eghbali was the principal architect of that decision. The next challenge for the club was identifying an interim caretaker.
With few suitable names on the shortlist, the board reverted to Calum McFarlane, a 40‑year‑old who previously oversaw two games after Maresca’s departure earlier in the year (a draw with Manchester City and a loss to Fulham). Some fans argued that appointing a club legend would have been more popular and potentially galvanising. Figures such as John Terry were mentioned, but the decision ultimately favoured an internal appointment rather than a high‑profile ex‑player. Chelsea’s official statement confirmed Rosenior’s exit and promised a period of reflection before naming a permanent successor.
The bigger question remains whether the controversial governance model – featuring five sporting directors – will survive the summer overhaul. While a radical restructuring of the football leadership group is unlikely, Chelsea’s history suggests that no system remains static for long.
When it comes to a long‑term appointment, the Blues appear to be taking a measured approach. There is currently no definitive shortlist or clear front‑runner. Agents are expected to pitch numerous candidates, and the club will likely target a manager with proven Premier League credentials or a track record of success at a high level.
Potential names circulating include Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner and Xabi Alonso, all of whom could be available this summer. Marco Silva might also become free after departing Fulham, while former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, now managing Como, is a popular choice – though some speculate he could eventually be courted by Arsenal. Chelsea’s recent recruitment history shows they have previously interviewed a long list of high‑profile managers, such as Luis Enrique, Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi.
A new manager will almost certainly inherit a squad without Champions League football, a factor that could influence player decisions. Enzo Fernández, for example, could be sold for a fee exceeding £100m if Chelsea cannot offer European competition. The club also intends to bolster the squad with experienced signings this summer, describing the plan as a "tweak" rather than a wholesale overhaul.
Financially, Chelsea faces a substantial hit from missing out on Champions League revenue – estimates suggest a loss of at least £80m. This shortfall will further complicate the search for a lucrative front‑of‑shirt sponsor. The most recent accounts revealed a staggering £262m loss, though the club expects the figure to improve thanks to this season’s Champions League participation and the FIFA Club World Cup triumph last summer. Chelsea’s season has resembled a soap opera, complete with the infamous huddle, a mole leaking team news, Fernández’s flirtation with Real Madrid, Cucurella’s public criticism of Maresca’s exit, and the controversy surrounding Fernández being barred from a crucial match against Manchester City.
Other storylines include centre‑back Axel Disasi’s loan to West Ham after being frozen out, Nicolas Jackson’s success at Bayern Munich while his Chelsea replacement Liam Delap managed just one league goal, and even Cucurella’s barber allegedly leaking team information before the Brighton game. Mistakes have been made both on and off the pitch, but the tipping point came when Maresca felt so undermined that he walked away just before the new year.
While criticism of the club’s operations is justified, it is worth noting that nine of the players who suffered the crushing defeat at Brighton also featured in the 3‑0 victory over Barcelona five months earlier. Rosenior’s contract includes a break clause, meaning Chelsea will not have to honour the full six years remaining.
He is set to receive a seven‑figure settlement, deemed fair by both parties. He joins a long line of managers dismissed by the club, including Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, Thomas Tuchel and Roberto Di Matteo – the latter two having left after winning the European Cup. In summary, Chelsea stands at a crossroads. The immediate task is to stabilise the team under an interim coach, while the long‑term project involves selecting a manager capable of restoring confidence, delivering results and navigating the financial constraints imposed by missing out on Europe.
The club’s unique governance structure, its sizable debt, and the ever‑evolving market for top‑flight managers ensure that the next few months will be closely watched by supporters and rivals alike.