Chelsea sack Liam Rosenior after five consecutive Premier League losses and 114-year negative record

Lewis Henderson
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:25:46 +0000

Chelsea have sacked Liam Rosenior with immediate effect after a dismal run of form, seeing the Blues lose five straight league games in a row.

The Blues, who are now scrapping to finish in the European places, lost yesterday evening 3-0 against Brighton, without registering a shot on target.

Discussions have been held around the club today, with the Chelsea board deciding to sack the English manager.

Calum McFarlane will take charge of the Blues on an interim basis until June.

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In a 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.

"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."

The Blues hired the former Strasbourg manager back in January, having been impressed by his work in France.

However, after results and performances have left much to be desired, with Chelsea currently unlikely to play in either the Champions League or Europa League next term.

Rosenior came in as a replacement for Enzo Maresca, who won the Club World Cup and Conference League with Chelsea.

The Englishman won six of his first seven matches, enjoying a managerial bounce when taking over from the Italian.

However, following a dismal run of form, with just one win in eight games coming against relegation-bound in League One Port Vale, question marks were on the wall over Rosenior.

Following Chelsea's terrible display yesterday, the Englishman came out firing in a rage.

He said: "That was unacceptable in every aspect of the game. I'm hurting, and I feel numb. The attitude was unacceptable. I keep coming out and defending the players, but that performance tonight is indefensible.

"The manner of the goals we conceded, the amount of duels that we lost, the lack of intensity in the team... something needs to change drastically here right now."

Rosenior accepted responsibility for the loss, acknowledging that it was on him to get the best from his players.

He continued: "I am accountable, I've always said that, but after tonight, I think the players as well need to have a look in the mirror for what they put in. You can talk about tactics, tactics come after the basics. I can't keep coming out here and defending some of the things that we are seeing.

"Against Manchester United, the results weren't there but I felt like we'd turned a corner but the general attitude, spirit and determination was lacking, apart from maybe three or four of the 11. That is nowhere near enough for this club."

McFarlane will oversee the Blues until June and will have to get the squad in order quickly.

Chelsea travel to Wembley on Sunday to face an in-form Leeds United side, who have not lost since the last time the Blues scored in the league.

Daniel Farke's side will be keen to get their teeth into a wounded Chelsea, who have been in a steep decline since Spring started.

Rosenior leaves the Blues with a record of 23 games played, 11 wins, two draws and 10 losses, with one of the worst managerial records this century statistically for a Chelsea manager.