Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol reviews the chaotic campaign Chelsea have endured, the chain of events that culminated in Liam Rosenior’s dismissal, and the shortlist of candidates the Blues could consider for the next managerial role. Rosenior’s tenure came to an abrupt end only six days after co‑owner Behdad Eghbali publicly voiced his confidence in the manager at a sports‑business conference in Los Angeles. Eghbali, who effectively runs Chelsea, told the audience, “We are behind Liam. We believe he can succeed in the long term.” Yet within a week, two heavy defeats – the loss to Manchester United that dented the club’s Champions League aspirations and a demoralising defeat to Brighton – forced the board to act.
The United game was already a high‑stakes fixture, with fans planning an anti‑ownership protest before kick‑off. While some insiders suggested Eghbali’s LA remarks were a pre‑emptive move to calm the crowd, the conference appearance had actually been scheduled months earlier, meaning it was not a reaction to the protest.
On Friday, Chelsea tried to shift the narrative by announcing that Ecuadorian midfielder Moisés Caicedo had agreed to extend his contract by a year, taking it to 2033 and earning a modest wage rise despite an under‑whelming season. The same day, The Guardian published an exclusive interview with Cole Palmer, who 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. The following weekend, the Blues suffered a defeat to United that further jeopardised their Champions League hopes.
Two late goals on Sunday – one from Liverpool and another from Aston Villa – made a top‑five finish appear almost impossible. Despite the setback, the hierarchy initially seemed willing to give Rosenior more time, but the humiliating loss at Brighton proved to be the final straw.
Eghbali flew in for the match, accompanied by senior executives including sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart and recruitment director Joe Shields. By Tuesday night it was clear that a change was inevitable.
The squad appeared disengaged, supporters continued to protest against the owners, and for the first time sustained chants demanding Rosenior’s exit echoed around Stamford Bridge. In post‑match interviews Rosenior lashed out at his players – a move that rarely ends well for a manager in crisis.
Observers noted that several key figures, such as Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernández, seemed more aligned with former sporting director Enzo Maresca than with Rosenior. During a players’ day off on Wednesday, Chelsea’s sporting leadership convened to decide Rosenior’s fate. The consensus was that the manager had to go, and Eghbali emerged as the driving force behind the final decision. With a manager out mid‑season, the club needed an interim figure to steer the ship until a permanent appointment could be made over the summer.
The shortlist was thin, leading the board to revert to Calum McFarlane, a 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 might have won over the fanbase and provided a galvanising boost, the decision-makers opted for an internal appointment rather than considering club legends such as John Terry. Chelsea’s official statement confirmed Rosenior’s exit and promised a period of reflection before naming a new boss, but it left open the question of whether the controversial five‑director sporting structure will survive the summer. Looking ahead, Chelsea appear set to take their time with a permanent hire.
There is currently no shortlist and no clear front‑runner. The club will likely entertain a range of names, seeking a manager with proven Premier League credentials or a record of success at a high level to avoid past mistakes. Potential candidates mentioned in the media include Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner, Xabi Alonso, Marco Silva (who could depart Fulham), and Cesc Fàbregas – the latter, while popular, might be tempted by a future Arsenal role. Historically, Chelsea have interviewed a long list of high‑profile managers, from Luis Enrique and Hansi Flick to Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi.
A new manager will almost certainly inherit a squad without Champions League football, which could influence the future of key assets. Enzo Fernández, for instance, could be sold for a fee exceeding £100 million if a buyer emerges.
The club also plans to bring in experienced players this summer, describing the approach as a "tweak" rather than a wholesale overhaul of strategy. Financially, Chelsea’s recent accounts reveal a staggering £262 million loss, though the club expects the deficit to shrink thanks to the Champions League participation this season and the FIFA Club World Cup triumph last summer. Missing out on next season’s Champions League could cost the club at least £80 million and make securing a lucrative front‑of‑shirt sponsor even more challenging.
The season has been a veritable soap opera: the infamous huddle, a mole leaking team news, Fernández flirting with Real Madrid, Cucurella questioning Maresca’s departure, and the controversial decision to bench Fernández against Manchester City. Off the pitch, Axel Disasi spent the campaign on loan at West Ham after being frozen out, while Nicolas Jackson collected trophies at Bayern Munich while his Chelsea replacement, Liam Delap, managed just one league goal. Even Cucurella’s barber earned a footnote for allegedly leaking team news before the Brighton match.
Many missteps have been made, but the turning point was Maresca’s feeling of being undermined, prompting his exit just before the new year. While criticism of the club’s operations is justified, it is worth noting that nine players who featured in the crushing Brighton defeat also started in the 3‑0 victory over Barcelona five months earlier – highlighting the fine margins in football.
Rosenior’s contract includes a break clause, meaning Chelsea will not have to pay the full six years remaining; a seven‑figure settlement is deemed fair for both parties. He joins an elite group of managers who have been dismissed by the Blues, including Carlo Ancelotti, José Mourinho, Thomas Tuchel and Roberto Di Matteo – the latter two leaving after European triumphs. As the club navigates the summer, the question remains: will Chelsea overhaul its sporting hierarchy, or will the status quo persist?
One thing is certain – the Blues will seek stability, financial prudence, and a manager capable of restoring the club’s stature on and off the pitch.