CHELSEA SACK LIAM ROSENIOR WITH SIX YEARS LEFT TO RUN ON CONTRACT AFTER NIGHTMARE SPELL

Liam Rosenior leaves Chelsea after losing his last five Premier League matches in charge, without the Blues scoring a single goal in any of those damaging defeats

Chelsea have sacked Liam Rosenior as their head coach(Image: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock)

Liam Rosenior has been sacked by Chelsea following a run of five consecutive Premier League defeats in which the team failed to score.

That run is their worst in the league over the past 113 years, dating back to six months after the Titanic sank in 1912. Rosenior only signed a six-and-a-half-year deal in January and started brightly but his side have quickly fallen down the Premier League table.

They were beaten comfortably 3-0 by Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday, and now are almost certain to miss out on qualification for next season’s Champions League. And now the club confirmed that Callum McFarlane will take charge until the end of the season, starting with Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds.

Liam Rosenior acknowledges the Chelsea fans after the defeat to Brighton(Image: (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images))

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," a statement read.

"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.

Liam Rosenior following Chelsea's defeat to Brighton(Image: 2026 Getty Images)

"Everyone at Chelsea FC wishes Liam every success in the future. Calum McFarlane will take charge of the team as interim head coach until the end of the season with support from existing club backroom staff, as we strive to achieve European qualification and progress in the FA Cup.

"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."

Speaking after Chelsea’s defeat at the Amex, Rosenior, who replaced Enzo Maresca in January, said he must identify which players he can trust after delivering a scathing assessment of his team’s woeful defeat.

Chelsea's fans make their feelings known to the players after tht defeat to Brighton(Image: (Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) )

“I understand their frustration,” he said of the fans. “The buck stops with me. I have thick skin and I understand why the fans are frustrated.

“I’m frustrated with the performances we’re putting in. I’ve just got to keep working hard with the staff, with the players.

“But what I do need to do is really look at how we go about games, the personnel of the team, who I can trust and rely on in difficult moments, because not enough players showed that.”

- Connor O'Neill  and Matthew Abbott

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EXCLUSIVE: CHELSEA MAKE FOR EDDIE HOWE

Chelsea have sounded out Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe about becoming their next manager, sources have told Football Insider.

The London giants are exploring the market for a replacement for Enzo Maresca, who left Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day.

Howe, 48, is firmly on Chelsea‘s radar although it remains to be seen if he would leave Newcastle mid-season to join a club where managers have a notoriously short shelf life.

Chelsea’s interest comes at a time when Howe is being criticised by a section of Newcastle fans on social media for overseeing a mixed campaign at St James’ Park.

They are 13th in the Premier League, but are into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup for the third time in four years and likely need just one point from their remaining two Champions League games to reach the knockout rounds of that competition for the first time in their history.

Liam Rosenior, the Strasbourg boss, is a leading contender to succeed Maresca after his two seasons in France working for Chelsea owners BlueCo, but it is understood that Chelsea are considering alternatives to Rosenior who have proven Premier League calibre.

Howe certainly fits the bill given his extensive experience at Newcastle, who he joined in November 2021, and Bournemouth, where he spent a decade during their extraordinary rise through the divisions before establishing them as a Premier League club.

Eddie Howe on Chelsea’s radar after Enzo Maresca exit

Maresca’s departure from Stamford Bridge came against a backdrop of frustration with the ownership, who he felt were too involved in his decision-making.

He is not the first boss to leave Chelsea under a cloud since BlueCo’s arrival, and likely not the last, leading to questions about whether Howe would step in.

Howe is comfortable in his job at Newcastle, with no plans for him to be let go any time soon despite some speculative calls for his head from frustrated fans.

The Magpies still have ambitious plans for the future and hope he will be the one to lead them, although this is not the first time he has been linked with an exit.

Howe has long been tipped to become the next England manager, while Man United also considered him when Ruben Amorim was under increasing pressure.

Liam Rosenior update emerges in Chelsea next manager race

Despite sources confirming Chelsea plan to asses Premier League-proven bosses, Rosenior remains the leading contender to take over at Stamford Bridge.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 2 January that Rosenior is in pole position at Chelsea thanks to his relationship with BlueCo.

Meanwhile, he remains highly rated in coaching and management circles in England following his time at Hull City despite his surprising dismissal by the Tigers.

Brown first told Football Insider on 28 December that Rosenior is on Chelsea’s list of options to replace Maresca should they be forced to do so.

Following the boss’ dramatic resignation and suggestions he is being lined up for the Man City job, the Blues are now being made to act quickly to secure their next boss.

- Wayne Veysey

CHELSEA COULD NOW APPOINT SHOCK MANAGER WITH ENZO MARESCA EXPECTED TO LEAVE

Enzo Maresca is ‘highly likely’ to leave Chelsea on Thursday (January 1) after a ‘complete breakdown in his relationship with the club’. This is according to a shock report from The Guardian, who understand that emergency talks are being held over the Italian manager’s position at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca is no longer expected to be in charge for Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday. Sources have indicated to The Guardian that Maresca wants to leave the Blues, although it’s unclear if he is willing to walk away without a payoff.

Chelsea currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, 15 points behind leaders Arsenal, but December’s results have put Maresca under increased pressure. The west London outfit have won just one of the previous seven league matches.

Maresca, 45, was appointed by Chelsea in June 2024, replacing Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge. The former Italy Under-21 international, who played for the likes of West Brom, Juventus, Fiorentina and Sevilla during his playing career got the Chelsea job after guiding Leicester City to the Championship title.

While Maresca has enjoyed success at Chelsea - winning the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup titles - it appears the breakdown in relations between him and the club’s hierarchy will lead to his imminent departure.

Early Contenders to Replace Maresca at Chelsea

It’s currently unclear who will replace Maresca if the Italian does leave, although The Guardian say that ‘one solution’ would be to appoint Liam Rosenior - the current Strasbourg head coach.

The 41-year-old Englishman, who spent most of his professional playing career with Hull City before managing the Tigers between 2022-2024, may jump at the opportunity to coach one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.

Rosenior has impressed at Strasbourg, who are Chelsea’s partner club, although his potential appointment will depend on whether his current employers are able to find a quality replacement now.

Other names that currently among the bookmakers’ favourites include Como boss Cesc Fabregas, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.

In any case, it feels increasingly likely that Chelsea will now be on the hunt for their fifth permanent manager since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital completed their takeover of the club in 2022.

- Rob Swan

LIVERPOOL'S FABIO CARVALHO JOINS HULL ON LOAN

AP

HULL, England (AP) — Liverpool winger Fabio Carvalho has joined Championship team Hull on loan for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old Carvalho spent the first half of the season on loan at German club RB Leipzig but returned to Liverpool last week after struggling for playing time.

Hull coach Liam Rosenior said “I couldn’t be happier" about the signing.

“Everyone is aware of Fabio’s ability, his qualities as a young player,” Rosenior told Hull's website. "Technically, he’s outstanding. He can assist, score and run in behind. He’s brave, quick, very balanced and takes the ball.

“Fabio’s got the ability to make a real impact on our season and get us to where we want to be.”

Hull is seventh in the second-tier Championship and in the hunt for a place in the playoffs for the final promotion spot to the Premier League next season.