Respecting the ball, losing the players - inside Rosenior's reign

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Liam Rosenior managed Chelsea 23 times, winning 11, losing 10 and drawing two

432 CommentsLess than four months after he signed a five-and-a-half-year deal with Chelsea, Liam Rosenior's stint at Stamford Bridge has come to an abrupt end.

The 41-year-old replaced Enzo Maresca in January. Ten defeats in 23 matches later, he has gone.

Rosenior arrived with a burgeoning reputation for playing attractive football, having led Ligue 1 Strasbourg into European for the first time in eight years during his debut season in France.

So where did it all go wrong at Chelsea?

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'Chelsea join the Premier League managerial merry-go-round'

Football reporterRosenior's tenure ended less than 24 hours after he publicly criticised his players in the wake of Tuesday's defeat at Brighton - an episode that lay at the heart of what ultimately went wrong for the Englishman.

It was not for a lack of trying. Rosenior often defended his players, sometimes to his own detriment.

His comments about the team "respecting the ball" followed an attempt to justify a pre-match huddle - an idea from his leadership group, rather than Rosenior himself - in which the players encircled referee Paul Tierney before a 1-0 defeat by Newcastle at Stamford Bridge in March.

That episode may ultimately define his tenure. It marked the start of a run of five defeats without scoring, Chelsea's worst such sequence in 114 years, leading to his exit.

But there were signs in the early days of Rosenior's short reign that the dressing room were unimpressed with him.

Despite relative success at Strasbourg, the former Hull City boss had never managed in the Premier League.

Views within the squad were mixed, but the Spanish-speaking contingent were particularly unconvinced. That was reflected in comments made by Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez during the March international break, in which both talked up moves to Spain.

Further evidence was provided by team news leaks around both legs of their Champions League last-16 tie against Paris St-Germain, which sources say originated from within the dressing room. A leak before Rosenior's final match at Brighton remarkably seemed to come from Cucurella's barber.

There was also footage of players on a near-weekly basis appearing to snub Rosenior's inexperienced backroom staff, including a recent video that showed Wesley Fofana ignoring assistant James Walker after a home defeat by Manchester United. One player even gave him the nickname "the supply teacher".

Privately, sources close to several players have confirmed that Rosenior began to lose authority as he attempted to implement more of his own ideas, having initially leaned on Maresca's blueprint during his first six weeks in charge, amid limited time on the training pitch.

Key tactical decisions also came under scrutiny. One source close to PSG said they felt Rosenior's approach over the two legs of the tie was too open, allowing the French champions to exploit Chelsea in an 8-2 aggregate win. The decision to start young centre-back Mamadou Sarr at right-back also proved costly in the second leg, with his error leading to an early Khvicha Kvaratskhelia goal as PSG won 3-0 on the night.

In addition, Moises Caicedo was said to be covering too much ground following a shift from a double pivot - two defensive midfielders - to a single pivot.

It was not all negative. Most players were said to regard Rosenior as a thoroughly decent person and he was known, according to one source, to be more popular with English members of the squad. However, injuries to Trevoh Chalobah, Cole Palmer and Reece James later in his spell further complicated matters.

There were glum faces in the directors' box as Chelsea failed to compete against Brighton, in what one senior source described as a turning point in the club's stance on Rosenior.

Until then, those responsible for his appointment had hoped he would come good - at least enough to steady the ship until the end of the season.

But, ultimately, it was felt Chelsea would have a better chance without Rosenior in charge for the remaining matches, both in their bid to qualify for European competition and in their pursuit of FA Cup success, with a new voice required.

Unlike Maresca, Rosenior did not retain the same positive relationships within the hierarchy - something reflected in his exit statement, which was 68 words shorter than that of his predecessor.

It was a decision taken to benefit Chelsea in the short term, but one also viewed as potentially aiding the club's long-term ambitions.

Senior football correspondentChelsea remain one of European football's biggest draws - and despite this season's difficulties, high-profile managers will inevitably be attracted to the vacancy.

Marco Silva, the Fulham manager, is set to be a candidate for the position this summer.

The Portuguese's deal expires at the end of the season, meaning Chelsea would not have to pay Fulham or negotiate to release him from a contract.

The fact he is represented by agent Jorge Mendes, who has a close relationship with Chelsea's ownership, would also ease any move for Silva.

For instance, outgoing Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola is of interest to Chelsea's leadership group - but those close to the Spaniard have indicated he will prioritise stability at his next post - not a trait associated with Chelsea at present.

In addition, the 43-year-old is understood to want to return with his family to Spain after deciding against signing a new Bournemouth deal.

Edin Terzic, who led Borussia Dortmund to a Champions League final in 2024, is under consideration, while former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas is earning rave reviews at Serie A club Como.

Xabi Alonso is out of work, having left Real Madrid earlier this season.

The question is whether any of those names, if approached, would express reservations about working within the Chelsea recruitment model - of bringing in younger players who can develop. And then there is the club's recent history of dispensing with managers.

That said, Chelsea are understood to be contemplating a change in approach this summer with a view to targeting more experienced signings to complement their young team.

Landing more established talent this summer may be easier said than done.

The club recently posted a £262.4m loss for the 2024-25 season - the highest pre-tax loss in Premier League history.

That, coupled with the prospect of missing out on Champions League football, is expected to restrict spending in this summer's transfer window.

The club remain confident they can attract the right coach, though they are not in active talks with any candidates and do not expect to appoint a full-time replacement until the end of the season.

They are looking for someone who can win matches and, ultimately, deliver trophies.

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