Chelsea have sacked head coach Liam Rosenior after less than four months in charge, following a disastrous run of form that has seen the club slide to seventh in the Premier League.
The 43-year-old, who signed a five-and-a-half-year deal after arriving from French club Strasbourg (also owned by Chelsea’s co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital), managed just 11 wins in 23 matches across all competitions.
His fate was sealed after Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton, which marked Chelsea’s fifth consecutive league loss without scoring – the club’s worst scoreless run since 1912.
Rosenior described the performance as “indefensible” and “unacceptable” after facing angry chants from Chelsea’s travelling supporters on the south coast. The defeat left the Blues seven points behind Liverpool, who currently occupy the fifth and final Champions League spot.
In a brief statement, Chelsea said: “Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment midway through the season. This has not been a decision the club has taken lightly, however recent results and performances have fallen below the necessary standards with still so much more to play for this season.”
Iraola, Silva, Terzic on shortlist
Sources have told the BBC that Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, Fulham head coach Marco Silva, and former Dortmund boss Edin Terzic are under consideration as possible replacements.
Iraola, 43, announced last week that he will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, while Silva’s contract at rivals Fulham is due to expire in July. Terzic was previously under consideration by Tottenham to replace Thomas Frank.
McFarlane takes interim charge
Calum McFarlane, who was Rosenior’s assistant, will take over as interim manager until the end of the season. McFarlane previously stepped in for a 1-1 draw against Manchester City and a defeat at Fulham in January after former boss Enzo Maresca was sacked.
Chelsea added: “As the club works to bring stability to the head coach position, we will undertake a process of self-reflection to make the right long-term appointment.”
McFarlane’s first game in charge comes on Sunday when Chelsea face Leeds at Wembley for a place in the FA Cup final.
The numbers behind Chelsea’s collapse
· Chelsea have lost five successive league games without scoring for the first time since November 1912.
· Their overall five-game losing streak is their longest in the Premier League since November 1993.
· Across each team’s past nine Premier League games, only Tottenham (two) have won fewer points than Chelsea’s five.
· Chelsea have just one win from their past nine matches.
· The Blues are without a clean sheet in any of their past 12 league games – only the second time they have had as long a run in the competition.
· Only West Ham (15) have conceded more goals from corners than Chelsea (11) in the Premier League this season.
