Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol reviews the chaotic campaign Chelsea have endured, explains the chain of events that led to Liam Rosenior’s termination, and speculates on the possible successors who could steer the Blues forward. Rosenior’s departure came just six days after co‑owner Behdad Eghbali, the man who effectively runs Chelsea, publicly voiced his support for the manager. At a sports‑business summit 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 and a bruising loss to Manchester United saw Rosenior’s tenure come to an abrupt end.
The United match was pivotal for Chelsea’s Champions League aspirations, and it was also set to be the backdrop for a fan‑organised anti‑ownership protest. Sources close to the club clarified that Eghbali’s LA appearance had been scheduled months earlier and was not a pre‑emptive move to defuse the demonstration. On Friday, the club attempted to shift the narrative by announcing a contract extension for Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caídedo.
The extension merely added one year to a deal that originally ran until 2032, pushing the expiry to 2033 and including a modest wage increase despite Caídedo’s underwhelming season. That same day, The Guardian published an exclusive interview with Cole Palmer. Palmer, who had been linked with a move to Manchester United, affirmed his desire to stay at Chelsea and praised Rosenior as a capable coach who simply needed a proper pre‑season.
Palmer’s comments, while positive, were relatively measured; he could have been more emphatic in defending both the club and the manager. Eghbali was absent from Stamford Bridge for the United clash.
The loss dealt a severe blow to Chelsea’s Champions League hopes, and subsequent late goals from Liverpool and Aston Villa on Sunday made a top‑five finish appear almost impossible. Despite the setback, the hierarchy initially seemed willing to give Rosenior more time, but the humiliating defeat 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.
The atmosphere on Tuesday night was tense: players appeared disengaged, supporters continued to protest against the owners, and for the first time sustained chants demanding Rosenior’s exit echoed through the stadium. In the post‑match interview, a visibly shaken Rosenior turned on his squad, a move that rarely ends well for a manager.
While it is easy to claim a coach has lost the dressing‑room when results falter, Chelsea’s performance on Tuesday suggested that key figures such as Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernández were already aligning more closely with Enzo Maresca than with Rosenior. During Wednesday’s break, Chelsea’s sporting leadership convened to decide whether they could salvage Rosenior’s position or if a change was inevitable.
The consensus was clear: Rosenior had to go, and Eghbali was the driving force behind the final decision. When a club sacks a manager mid‑season, the immediate concern is the interim appointment.
Chelsea’s shortlist was thin, leading them to revert to Calum McFarlane, the 40‑year‑old who previously oversaw two games after Maresca’s departure earlier in the year—a draw at Manchester City and a loss to Fulham. While appointing a former player, perhaps a club legend like John Terry, might have won over the fanbase, the board opted for an internal solution. Chelsea’s official statement confirmed Rosenior’s exit and promised a period of reflection before naming a permanent replacement. However, questions remain about the future of the club’s controversial structure, which currently includes five sporting directors.
Though a major overhaul of the leadership hierarchy is unlikely over the summer, Chelsea’s history suggests that no system remains static for long. At present there is no definitive shortlist or clear front‑runner for the permanent role. The club will undoubtedly be linked with numerous candidates, and agents will be eager to pitch their clients.
To avoid repeating past mistakes, Chelsea is expected to target a manager with proven Premier League credentials or a record of success at a high level. Potential names circulating 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 Cesc Fábregas—currently managing Como—might be a popular choice, though his long‑term ambitions could see him eyeing a future at Arsenal. Historically, Chelsea have interviewed a long list of high‑profile coaches, ranging from Luis Enrique and Hansi Flick to Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi.
The next appointment is likely to lack Champions League football initially, a factor that could influence player decisions, particularly Enzo Fernández, who could be sold for a fee exceeding £100m if the club does not qualify for Europe. In the transfer market, Chelsea are expected to pursue experienced signings this summer, describing the approach as a "tweak" rather than a wholesale overhaul. Financially, the club faces a significant hit—estimated at a minimum of £80m—due to missing out on Champions League revenue, which also complicates the search for a lucrative front‑of‑shirt sponsor.
The latest accounts show a staggering £262m loss, though the club anticipates a reduction in the next reporting period thanks to the Champions League participation this season 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, and the denial of Fernández’s participation in a crucial match 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 replacement Liam Delap managed only a single league goal, illustrate the squad’s turbulence. Many missteps have occurred both on and off the pitch, but the catalyst for the season’s collapse appears to have been Maresca’s feeling of being undermined, prompting his departure just before the new year.
While criticism of the club’s management is justified, it is worth noting that nine of the players who suffered the humiliating defeat at Brighton also featured in the 3-0 victory over Barcelona five months earlier—highlighting the fine margins that separate triumph from disaster. Rosenior’s contract includes a break‑clause that spares Chelsea from paying the full six years remaining; instead, he will 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. As Chelsea look ahead, the pressing question remains: who will inherit the reins and restore stability to a club that seems perpetually caught in a whirlwind of drama?