Liam Rosenior in line for dizzying pay-off if Chelsea sack manager after Brighton defeat

Jack Otway
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:38:54 +0000

Chelsea face a staggering £24million payout should they decide to part ways with manager Liam Rosenior, whose position has become increasingly precarious following Tuesday's heavy defeat at Brighton.

The former Strasbourg boss, who replaced Enzo Maresca in January, signed a lengthy six-and-a-half-year contract reportedly worth £4m annually upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

That substantial deal now presents a significant financial obstacle for co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, who must weigh the enormous compensation package against mounting fan frustration.

Supporters at the Amex Stadium demanded Rosenior's dismissal as the Blues slumped to another damaging result.

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The defeat extended Chelsea's winless run to five consecutive league matches without finding the net, a dismal sequence not witnessed at the club since 1912.

This unwanted piece of history has left the Blues languishing seven points adrift of Liverpool, who currently occupy the final Champions League qualification berth.

The gap to European football's premier competition represents a significant blow to Chelsea's ambitions, with the season threatening to unravel completely under Rosenior's stewardship.

Tuesday's result at the Amex Stadium marked yet another low point in what has become an increasingly turbulent campaign for the west London outfit.

The managerial chaos at Stamford Bridge this season has been remarkable, with Rosenior's potential exit meaning the ownership would be searching for their fourth boss of the current campaign.

Maresca departed following a complete collapse in relations with the club hierarchy at the start of the year, despite having delivered both the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup trophies during his tenure.

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Calum McFarlane stepped into the breach on a temporary basis, overseeing two fixtures before Rosenior was appointed as the permanent solution.

That solution now appears anything but permanent, with the American-Iranian ownership group facing another costly decision.

Rosenior launched a scathing attack on his squad following the Brighton humiliation, declaring the performance "unacceptable in every aspect of the game."

"Unacceptable in attitude. I keep coming out and defending the players that's indefensible," the manager said.

He added: "That performance tonight, 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 right now."

The embattled coach now faces a crucial FA Cup semi-final against a resurgent Leeds on Sunday, with a place in the final at stake.

A victory at Wembley could offer Rosenior a lifeline and the opportunity to salvage silverware from an otherwise disastrous spell.

Meanwhile, Tim Sherwood fears Rosenior won't last much longer after yet another chastening night at the office.

"They were outplayed in every way. In style, build-p, in possession, out of possession," he said on Sky Sports.

"It was a team playing a bunch of individuals. No spirit, no character. They were watching at the end there going over to the Chelsea fans - half of them had left the stadium 20 minutes ago.

"I don't like saying it: there are demonstrations and flags out against BlueCo. Liam Rosenior will not survive this. He will not, unfortunately for him.

"It's a real tough job for any manager to survive this environment. Chelsea is a development club."