Chelsea have dismissed head coach Liam Rosenior after a turbulent four-month spell, following a sharp decline in form that has derailed the club’s season.
The Premier League side confirmed the decision on Wednesday, ending Rosenior’s tenure just over three months after he was appointed in January on a long-term deal to replace Enzo Maresca.
The club cited a series of poor performances, with Chelsea losing seven of their last eight matches, including a heavy 3-0 defeat to Brighton in their most recent outing.
In a statement, Chelsea said results had “fallen below expectations,” adding that the decision was necessary with key fixtures still ahead.
First-team coach Calum McFarlane has been named interim manager until the end of the season. He will oversee the team’s FA Cup semi-final clash against Leeds United at Wembley this weekend.
Rosenior’s dismissal follows a damaging run in the league, where Chelsea suffered five consecutive defeats without scoring — a streak that has effectively ended their hopes of securing Champions League qualification.
The losses came against Newcastle United, Everton, Manchester City, Manchester United and Brighton, leaving the club seventh on the table and trailing the top five.
While the team showed flashes of promise in cup competitions, including reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, their overall campaign was undermined by inconsistency and defensive frailties. Chelsea were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Arsenal and suffered a heavy aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League knockout stage.
Pressure had been mounting on Rosenior in recent weeks, with supporters voicing frustration over the team’s performances. After the Brighton defeat, he openly criticised his players, describing their display as “indefensible” and calling for urgent improvement.
Despite signing a six-year contract, Rosenior’s exit is not expected to result in a significant compensation payout, as his deal reportedly included a break clause.
McFarlane, who previously stepped in as interim boss earlier in the season, now faces the immediate challenge of steadying the squad and pushing for a strong finish.
Chelsea also confirmed it will begin the search for a new permanent manager as it looks to rebuild and restore consistency ahead of next season.