Chelsea fires Liam Rosenior: Who will replace team's latest manager flop?

Jason Sargent Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Jon Arnold, USA TODAY Wed, April 22, 2026 at 5:13 PM UTC

Liam Rosenior signed a deal in January 2026 that would keep him at Chelsea through 2032. Three-and-a-half months later, he is out as Chelsea manager.

The London club announced Wednesday that it has fired the British boss amidst a historically bad run for the club that has lost its last five Premier League matches and also tasted UEFA Champions League elimination to PSG in that stretch.

A 3-0 loss Tuesday against Brighton that Rosenior called "by far" the worst performance of his 23-match tenure looks to have been the last straw for the club's directors.

"Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Liam Rosenior," a club statement read. "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."

Rosenior arrived from Ligue 1 squad RC Strasbourg, which shares ownership with Chelsea. He had the French team out-pacing expectations, sitting seventh when he left for the Premier League.

A former right back for clubs including Fulham, Reading and Hull City, Rosenior was seen as a bright coaching prospect after a pair of seasons leading the Hull team he had played for a decade earlier.

1 / 0Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2025-26 seasonDominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United misses a headed chance while under pressure from Leny Yoro of Manchester United at Old Trafford on April 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. Leeds United won the match, 2-1.Chelsea manager replacements?

Calum McFarlane will take over as caretaker boss, a role he already fulfilled this year when he moved up from the U-21 team to manage the first team after Enzo Maresca was fired.

The Blues are still in the hunt for the FA Cup, facing Leeds United on April 26 at Wembley Stadium. McFarlane will oversee the rest of that quest and likely the rest of the Premier League 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 team's statement read.

That could mean another push for a former Chelsea player who would feel at home at Stamford Bridge.

Filipe Luís made a shock departure from Flamengo this year, reportedly because of contact with BlueCo, the consortium which owns Chelsea and Strasbourg - though the conversations reportedly were aimed more at leading the French team. The Brazilian boss won the Copa Libertadores and the Brasileiro with the Mengão before the break-up.

Former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has Como in fifth place in Serie A, a remarkable achievement with a smaller club. It's not clear if he wants to leave the club, which he also holds a minority stake in, for a job like the one in London.

Andoni Iraola may be another target after announcing this week he will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season. English reports suggest Chelsea already made "initial contact" the Spain native.

And while he made his name with a different English club, Xabi Alonso remains one of the most intriguing names in European coaching. He wasn't able to meet Real Madrid's expectations but had an historically good run with Bayer Leverkusen.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is another potential candidate. He announced this year that he plans to leave his current role in search of a new challenge and has hinted he may be eager to take over a team with a larger transfer budget than the Eagles are willing to spend.

Chelsea returns to the field in that FA Cup match April 26 before resuming Premier League play May 4 with a visit from Nottingham Forest. The Blues currently sit seventh after Brighton leapfrogged them with the Tuesday result and are only ahead of Brentford and Bournemouth because of goal difference - putting them close to falling out of the guaranteed European positions.