Sky Sports News senior correspondent Kaveh Solhekol reviews the chaotic campaign Chelsea have endured, examines the chain of events that led to Liam Rosenior’s termination, and explores the pool of candidates who might steer the Blues forward. Rosenior’s exit came a mere six days after co‑owner Behdad Eghbali, the man who effectively runs Chelsea, publicly voiced his confidence in the manager.
At a sports‑business conference in Los Angeles, Eghbali said, “We are behind Liam. We believe he can succeed over the long term.” Yet within a week, two heavy defeats had eroded that backing and Rosenior was shown the door. The loss to Manchester United on Saturday was a pivotal blow to Chelsea’s Champions League aspirations, and it coincided with a fan‑organised anti‑ownership protest scheduled for kick‑off. Although some insiders claimed Eghbali’s LA appearance was not a pre‑emptive move to defuse the demonstration – the speaking slot had been booked months earlier – the timing of his comments proved disastrous.
In an attempt to shift the narrative, Chelsea announced on Friday that Ecuadorian midfielder Moisés Caicedo had extended his contract by a single year, pushing the expiry date to 2033 and granting him a modest wage increase despite an underwhelming season. The same day, The Guardian published an exclusive interview with forward Cole Palmer, who affirmed his desire to stay at Chelsea and praised Rosenior as a competent manager who simply needed a proper pre‑season.
Palmer’s comments were unusually outspoken, and while they painted a hopeful picture, they did little to stem the growing unrest among supporters. The United defeat deepened Chelsea’s European doubts, and subsequent late goals against Liverpool and Aston Villa on Sunday made a top‑five finish appear almost unattainable.
Even though the board initially indicated they would give Rosenior more time, the humiliating loss to Brighton proved to be the final straw. Eghbali flew in for the Brighton match, accompanied by senior executives including sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart and recruitment director Joe Shields. By Tuesday night it was evident that a change was inevitable. Players seemed disengaged, fans continued to chant against the owners, and for the first time sustained chants demanding Rosenior’s departure echoed around Stamford Bridge.
In post‑match interviews Rosenior appeared rattled and openly criticised his squad – a move that rarely endears a manager to his players. Observations on the pitch suggested the dressing‑room was fracturing. Certain individuals, such as Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernández, appeared more aligned with former coach Enzo Maresca than with Rosenior, indicating a loss of confidence in the current leadership.
While the sporting leadership team deliberated on Wednesday, the players enjoyed a day off, leaving the club to decide whether to rally around Rosenior or to cut ties. The board ultimately opted for dismissal, with Eghbali driving the decision. The next critical question was who would assume interim charge.
Chelsea’s shortlist was thin, leading them to reinstall Calum McFarlane, the 40‑year‑old who briefly managed the side after Maresca’s departure earlier in the year, overseeing a draw at Manchester City and a loss to Fulham. A former Chelsea legend might have sparked more enthusiasm among the fanbase, but the board chose continuity over nostalgia, bypassing icons such as John Terry. In the official statement announcing Rosenior’s exit, the club said it would reflect before naming a permanent successor, while also hinting that the controversial five‑director sporting structure might endure, at least for the short term. Looking ahead, Chelsea have made it clear they will take their time with a permanent appointment.
There is currently no definitive shortlist and no clear front‑runner. The club is expected to entertain a range of candidates, focusing on managers with proven Premier League experience or a record of success at a high level to avoid past recruitment errors.
Potential names circulating include Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner and Xabi Alonso, all of whom are reportedly available this summer. Marco Silva could depart Fulham, while former midfielder Cesc Fàbregas – now managing Como – would be a popular, albeit potentially short‑term, choice, especially if he later attracts interest from Arsenal.
Chelsea’s recent history shows they have spoken to a long list of high‑profile coaches, from Luis Enrique and Hansi Flick to Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi. However, any new appointee will likely face the reality of not having Champions League football, a factor that could influence the futures of key assets like Fernández, who could fetch a £100 million-plus fee if a buyer emerges. Financially, the club is grappling with significant losses.
Missing out on Champions League revenue could cost Chelsea at least £80 million, complicating the search for a lucrative front‑of‑shirt sponsor. The latest accounts revealed a £262 million loss, though the club expects the next set of figures to improve thanks to this season’s Champions League participation and the FIFA Club World Cup triumph. The season has been a roller‑coaster of drama: from the infamous huddle and the mole leaking team news, to Fernández’s flirtation with Real Madrid, Cucurella’s public criticism of Maresca, and the controversy surrounding his own barber leaking information before the Brighton game. On‑field mishaps have also been plentiful – Axel Disasi, once a promising centre‑back, is now on loan at West Ham after being frozen out, while Nicolas Jackson, once mocked, is now collecting trophies at Bayern Munich, and his replacement Liam Delap managed just one league goal.
In retrospect, many errors have been made both on and off the pitch, but the tipping point appears to have been Maresca’s feeling of being undermined, prompting his departure 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 humiliating defeat at Brighton also featured in the 3‑0 victory over Barcelona five months earlier.
This underscores how quickly fortunes can swing in football. 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, which is considered a fair resolution for both parties.
He joins a long line 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. As the Blues prepare for the summer, the club must decide whether to overhaul its sporting hierarchy or maintain the status quo.
Whatever the path, the next manager will inherit a squad in transition, a financially strained operation, and a fanbase eager for stability after a season that resembled a soap opera more than a football campaign.