Sky Sports News senior correspondent Kaveh Solhekol reviews the turbulent campaign Chelsea have endured, examining the chain of events that culminated in Liam Rosenior’s removal and exploring the pool of candidates who could steer the Blues forward. Rosenior’s tenure came to an abrupt end merely six days after co‑owner Behdad Eghbali, the man who effectively runs Chelsea, publicly voiced his confidence in the manager.
At a sports‑business forum in Los Angeles, Eghbali told the audience, “We stand behind Liam. We believe he can succeed over the long term.” The endorsement, however, proved short‑lived; two defeats later the club decided to part ways with Rosenior.
The loss to Manchester United on Saturday was a pivotal moment for Chelsea’s Champions League aspirations, and the match was further clouded by a fan‑organised anti‑ownership protest slated for kick‑off. Sources close to the club insist that Eghbali’s LA appearance was scheduled months in advance and not a pre‑emptive move to calm the demonstration. In an effort to shift the narrative, Chelsea announced on Friday that Ecuadorian midfielder Moisés Caicedo had agreed to a one‑year extension, pushing the expiry of his contract from 2032 to 2033 and granting him a modest wage increase despite a season that many viewed as underwhelming.
The same day, The Guardian published an exclusive interview with Cole Palmer, who affirmed his desire to remain at Chelsea and praised Rosenior as a capable manager who simply needed a proper pre‑season. Palmer’s comments, while generally positive, were measured; he could have been more emphatic in defending both his club and his coach. Eghbali was absent from Stamford Bridge for the United fixture.
The defeat dealt a heavy blow to the club’s European hopes, and subsequent late goals from Liverpool and Aston Villa on Sunday made a top‑five finish appear increasingly unlikely. Although Chelsea initially seemed willing to grant Rosenior additional time, the humiliating loss at 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, as well as recruitment director Joe Shields. By Tuesday night it was evident that a change was inevitable. Players no longer seemed motivated to fight for Rosenior, supporters continued to vent their frustration at the owners, and for the first time chants demanding Rosenior’s departure echoed through the stadium.
In the post‑match interview, a visibly shaken Rosenior lashed out at his squad – a move that rarely bodes well for a manager’s future. While it is easy to claim a coach has lost the dressing‑room when results slump, the on‑field performance on Tuesday suggested that several key figures, such as Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernández, were more aligned with Enzo Maresca than with Rosenior. Chelsea’s sporting leadership convened on Wednesday while the players enjoyed a day off. The core question was whether anything could be done to salvage Rosenior’s position or whether a decisive change was required.
The conclusion was clear: Rosenior would depart, with Eghbali driving the final decision. When a manager is dismissed mid‑season, the immediate concern is identifying an interim caretaker. Chelsea’s options were limited, prompting the club to revert to Calum McFarlane, a 40‑year‑old who previously oversaw two matches after Maresca’s exit earlier in the year – a draw against Manchester City and a loss to Fulham. While appointing a former player might have delighted the fanbase and injected fresh energy, the board opted for an internal solution, leaving out legendary ex‑stars such as John Terry.
Chelsea’s official statement on Rosenior’s exit promised a period of reflection before naming a permanent replacement. However, the broader issue remains whether the controversial governance model – featuring five sporting directors – will survive the summer overhaul. Major structural changes are unlikely in the short term, but Chelsea’s history suggests that no system remains static for long. As for the permanent appointment, the club appears to be taking a measured approach.
There is currently no shortlist and no clear front‑runner. Agents will undoubtedly flood the club with proposals, and Chelsea will likely target a manager with proven Premier League credentials or a record of success at a high level to avoid repeating past mistakes. Potential candidates being linked to the role include Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner and Xabi Alonso, all of whom are available this summer. Marco Silva could become free after leaving Fulham, while Cesc Fàbregas – presently managing Como – would be a popular choice, though his long‑term ambitions might eventually point him toward Arsenal.
Chelsea’s recent recruitment history shows they have engaged in talks with a wide array of high‑profile managers, ranging from Luis Enrique and Hansi Flick to Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi. The next appointment will almost certainly not come with Champions League football, a factor that could influence the future of players such as Fernández, who might be sold if a club offers more than £100 million.
In the transfer market, Chelsea intend to bring in experienced players this summer, describing the plan as a "tweak" rather than a complete overhaul of their strategy. This measured approach reflects the club’s need to balance ambition with the financial constraints imposed by missing out on Champions League revenue. Financially, Chelsea have been transparent about the impact of their European shortfall. The club could lose at least £80 million by not qualifying for the Champions League next season, which would also complicate efforts to secure a lucrative front‑of‑shirt sponsor.
Although the latest accounts reported a £262 million loss, the club expects the figure to improve thanks to the Champions League participation this season and the FIFA Club World Cup triumph last summer. The season has resembled a soap‑opera, complete with dramatic boardroom huddles, alleged leaks, Fernández’s flirtation with Real Madrid, Cucurella’s public criticism of Maresca, and the controversial decision to bench Fernández against Manchester City.
Players such as Axel Disasi, now on loan at West Ham after being frozen out, and Nicolas Jackson, who found success at Bayern Munich while his Chelsea replacement Liam Delap managed only a single league goal, illustrate the turbulence. Mistakes have been made both on and off the pitch, but the tipping point was Maresca’s feeling of being undermined, leading him to walk out just before the turn of the year. While criticism of the club’s operations is justified, it is worth noting that nine of the players who suffered the heavy defeat at Brighton also featured in the 3‑0 victory over Barcelona five months earlier – a reminder that talent alone does not guarantee success. Rosenior’s contract includes a break clause, meaning Chelsea will not be liable for the full six years remaining.
He is set to receive a seven‑figure settlement, deemed fair for both parties. His exit places him among a long list of managers who have been dismissed by Chelsea, including Carlo Ancelotti, José Mourinho, Thomas Tuchel and Roberto Di Matteo – the latter two leaving after winning the European Cup.
The club now faces the challenge of stabilising its leadership, rebuilding squad morale, and navigating the financial repercussions of missing out on Europe. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether Chelsea can restore a sense of direction and return to the upper echelons of English football.