Former England international Gary Neville has openly criticised the current owners of Chelsea, arguing that they are completely out of touch with what is required to run a successful football club. His comments came in the wake of the abrupt dismissal of Liam Rosenior, who was sacked on Wednesday after only four months in charge – the fifth managerial termination since BlueCo took control of the Blues less than four years ago.
Rosenior, who had been installed as a surprise successor to Enzo Maresca in January, signed a six‑year contract when he arrived from Strasbourg, a club also owned by BlueCo. However, a disastrous run of seven defeats in eight league games, including a 3‑0 loss at Brighton that sparked chants from supporters demanding his exit, saw his tenure cut dramatically short.
Neville told Sky Sports News that while he did not expect Rosenior to see out his lengthy deal, the timing of the termination – mid‑season rather than at the end – was shocking. "I'm not shocked that Liam is leaving the club," Neville said.
"What surprises me is that it is happening right now. I imagined they would give him the full season, especially after handing him a six‑year contract. This decision does not reflect on Liam’s abilities; he simply endured a string of poor results and will be disappointed. The real issue lies with the owners, the sporting directors and the players, who must all take a hard look at the choices that have led us here.
The fans will be absolutely disgusted by how this has unfolded." Neville went on to highlight what he sees as a fundamental lack of experience within Chelsea’s hierarchy. He noted that the club possesses a talented squad and promising young sporting directors, but the ownership group itself is relatively new – only two or three years in charge – and therefore lacks the seasoned perspective needed to guide a club of Chelsea’s stature.
He described the practice of handing out six‑year or even eight‑year contracts to managers or players as "almost laughable" and asserted that the owners "don't have a clue what they're doing." Reflecting on his own experience as a club owner, Neville admitted to having made “massive mistakes” but stressed that accountability is essential. "You deserve what you get in football," he said, adding that the blame should not be placed on the coach, who was perhaps promoted too quickly into a role he was not ready for.
He sympathised with Rosenior, noting that the job at Chelsea is "a little bit crazy in its decision‑making" and that the former manager should now focus on rebuilding his coaching career away from the intense scrutiny of the London club. Rosenior’s exit leaves Chelsea in seventh place in the Premier League, seven points adrift of fifth‑placed Liverpool, with Champions League qualification looking increasingly unlikely. The Blues have now suffered five consecutive league defeats without scoring – their worst goalless losing streak since 1912.
Interim manager Calum McFarlane will once again take charge for the remainder of the season; he previously oversaw a 1‑1 draw with Manchester City and a 2‑1 loss to Fulham during his earlier stint. The club’s statement confirmed that the search for a permanent successor has not yet begun and that a period of "self‑reflection" will precede any new appointment. Neville pointed out that under BlueCo’s ownership the average tenure of a permanent manager is just 258 days, less than half the average under former owner Roman Abramovich, who was notorious for frequent sackings but nonetheless maintained longer managerial spells overall.
When asked who might be next in line, Neville quoted former teammate Roy Keane’s weekend remark that the club needs a clear direction, adding, "Chelsea is a massive, amazing club. Everyone knew Liam’s job was at risk; the surprise is the timing and the way it was handled. I have been in a similar position myself – sacking a manager after four months – and it reflects badly on those who make those decisions.
Six‑year contracts for managers? It’s absurd." Sky Sports chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol echoed some of Neville’s points, noting that the owners rarely speak publicly but would likely admit to mistakes this season. He mentioned the destabilising effect of Enzo Maresca’s mid‑season departure and the subsequent appointment of Rosenior as a misstep.
Yet Solhekol also reminded listeners that the same squad that beat Barcelona 3‑0 at Stamford Bridge in November also featured in the Brighton loss, indicating that the talent pool remains strong despite recent setbacks. In summary, Neville’s assessment paints a picture of a club caught in a cycle of hasty managerial changes, overly ambitious contract lengths, and an ownership group still finding its footing. He urges the board, sporting directors and players to conduct a thorough review of their strategies, warning that continued mismanagement will only deepen fan disenchantment and jeopardise Chelsea’s ambitions on both domestic and European fronts.