Chelsea sack Liam Rosenior after just four months in charge: Who will replace him?

Chelsea have parted ways with head coach Liam Rosenior, the club confirmed on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, ending one of the shortest and most turbulent managerial reigns in recent Stamford Bridge history.

The decision came a day after a chastening 3-0 defeat at Brighton, a result that left Chelsea without a league goal in five consecutive games for the first time since 1912. This marks a significant downfall of a club which lifted the Club World Cup just months ago.

Rosenior replaced Enzo Maesca as head coach in January for a five-and-a-half year contract; however, his reign lasted only four months.

Chelsea said the decision had not been taken lightly but that "recent results and performances have fallen below the necessary standards with still so much more to play for this season."

The club wished Rosenior well for the future.

The 41-year-old joined the club already in turmoil, inherited a squad low on confidence, and found himself caught in the crossfire between a frustrated fanbase and an ownership group that has struggled to win over supporters since buying the club in 2022.

Rosenior becomes the fifth permanent manager to lose his job under owners Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly.

Tuesday's defeat at Brighton appeared to be the breaking point. Rosenior did not hold back in his assessment of his own players afterward, calling their performance "indefensible."

Players were given the day off on Wednesday as the club's hierarchy met to decide the coach’s future.

Who will replace Liam Rosenior as Chelsea head coach?

Calum McFarlane, who had been coaching Chelsea's under-21 side, will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. 

The club said that it will now go through a period of self-reflection before making what it describes as "the right long-term appointment."

Overview of Chelsea FC performance:

That process will not be straightforward. Chelsea are seventh in the Premier League, seven points behind the top five and facing a real possibility of missing out on European football next season entirely. 

They were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain 8-2 on aggregate. Chelsea went out of the Carabao Cup to Arsenal. 

After five managers in three years, Chelsea's owners are running out of time to prove they have a plan that works.