Liam Rosenior may be removed as Chelsea manager before the end of the current season, with the club’s ownership group BlueCo understood to be actively assessing replacements following a damaging sequence of results at Stamford Bridge.
The 41-year-old has now overseen five consecutive Premier League matches without a Chelsea goal or a victory — a run that has placed the club’s UEFA Champions League qualification ambitions in serious jeopardy. Despite being awarded a long-term contract earlier in the campaign, Rosenior’s tenure has reached a critical juncture well short of a full season in charge.
According to reports, matters came to a head following Chelsea’s defeat to Brighton, which triggered urgent internal discussions at the club’s Cobham training facility. Co-owner Behdad Eghbali was in attendance at the match and is said to be personally involved in deliberating over the club’s next managerial steps.
Rosenior’s public criticism of his players in the wake of the Brighton loss has reportedly compounded his difficulties. While sources suggest his concerns carried some merit, openly reproaching the squad through the media is understood to have been poorly received within the dressing room and may have further eroded his standing among club staff and players.
BlueCo are now said to be moving away from the philosophy that shaped their recent appointment strategy. Both Rosenior and his predecessor Enzo Maresca were brought in without top-tier managerial pedigree, and there is growing acknowledgement within the ownership group that this approach has not produced the desired outcomes.
Several candidates are reportedly being considered as potential successors. Former Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso is currently unattached and available, while Andoni Iraola — who has drawn considerable praise for his work in the Premier League — is expected to depart Bournemouth when the season concludes. Former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has also emerged as an option, with the Spaniard attracting attention for his management of Serie A side Como.
However, Chelsea may face obstacles in convincing high-profile candidates to take the role. The club’s collaborative decision-making structure, combined with the real prospect of missing out on Champions League football next season, could prove deterrents for managers accustomed to operating with greater autonomy at elite level.
Chelsea’s current difficulties represent a sharp contrast to the expectations that accompanied Rosenior’s appointment. The club spent heavily in successive transfer windows under BlueCo’s ownership and had targeted a return to European football’s premier competition. Failure to secure a top-four finish would carry significant financial and reputational consequences heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
