Chelsea have parted ways with head coach Liam Rosenior after the club slumped to its worst goal-scoring run in 114 years, following five consecutive Premier League defeats without finding the net.
The decision was confirmed on Wednesday, barely 106 days after Rosenior took charge at Stamford Bridge, bringing an abrupt end to an experiment that failed to deliver the expected turnaround.
Rosenior had only been appointed in January after the sudden departure of former manager Enzo Maresca, who reportedly left following disagreements with Chelsea’s hierarchy.
Having managed BlueCo-owned French side Strasbourg before his move to London, Rosenior was seen as a natural fit for Chelsea’s multi-club ownership model and was handed the responsibility of reviving the club’s faltering campaign.
However, a disastrous run of results, capped by Tuesday’s humiliating 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, forced the club into swift action.
The loss marked Chelsea’s fifth straight league defeat without scoring — the club’s worst such run since 1912 — and further damaged their hopes of securing Champions League qualification.
In an official statement released by the club, Chelsea said:
“Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Liam Rosenior.
“On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, we would like to place on record our gratitude to Liam and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the Club.
“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.
“Everyone at Chelsea FC wishes Liam every success in the future.”
Despite showing early promise after his arrival, including an unbeaten run that briefly revived optimism around the club, Chelsea’s form collapsed in recent weeks, with defeats piling up and supporters turning increasingly hostile.
The Blues have now dropped to seventh in the Premier League table, leaving their Champions League ambitions hanging by a thread.
Rosenior’s dismissal also makes him one of the shortest-serving non-caretaker managers in Chelsea’s modern history.
Assistant coach Calum McFarlane has now been placed in temporary charge for the remainder of the season, starting with the club’s crucial FA Cup semi-final clash against Leeds United.
Chelsea are expected to begin the search for a new long-term manager immediately as pressure mounts on the club’s ownership to stabilise a project that has continued to struggle despite massive investment.
