Liam Rosenior’s time at Stamford Bridge is over.
Chelsea announced the firing of their manager on Wednesday.
Club statement: Liam Rosenior
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 22, 2026
“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,” the team said in a statement. “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.”
The manager had been at the helm of five straight Premier League defeats in which the Blues have not scored a goal. Chelsea was beaten 3-0 away to Brighton on Tuesday. With the defeat, the Blues now trail Liverpool by seven points for the final Champions League spot with the Reds holding a game in hand. After a run of form that saw five straight victories across all competitions in January, Chelsea has now won just once in eight matches - an FA Cup quarter-finals victory over League One side Port Vale. The team will face Leeds in the semis on Sunday.
While the Chelsea squad has the day off on Wednesday, the club’s hierarchy met to discuss the 41-year-old Rosenior’s position and decided on a change.
A native of London, Rosenior was appointed as Chelsea manager on a six-and-a-half-year deal in January, coming over from sister club Strasbourg where had been in charge since the summer of 2024. Rosenior replaced Enzo Maresca, who left the club after 18 months in charge.
Rosenior cut a frustrated figure following Tuesday’s loss, calling the game among the worst of his career.
“It was unacceptable in every aspect of the game, unacceptable in our attitude,” Rosenior said of the performance. “I keep coming out and defending the players. That’s indefensible, 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 professionalism wasn’t there. It’s a really difficult night. The most difficult night not even just here, so far, at this magnificent football club, but in my career. Some of the things I witnessed today, I never want to see again.”
With Chelsea moving on from Rosenior, it marks the fifth firing of a permanent boss since Todd Boehly’s BlueCo. bought the club in the spring of 2025.
Assistant coach Callum McFarlane will be in charge of the club on an interim basis for the rest of the season.
