Chelsea have sacked head coach Liam Rosenior after less than four months in charge, following a poor run of form that saw the team lose five consecutive Premier League matches without scoring for the first time since 1912.
Rosenior, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in January on a five-and-a-half-year contract, managed 11 wins in 23 games across all competitions during his brief spell.
His final match in charge ended in a 3-0 defeat to Brighton on Tuesday, a result he described as “indefensible” and “unacceptable” while also facing frustration from travelling supporters.
The defeat left Chelsea slipping to seventh in the Premier League, dealing a significant setback to their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
In a statement, the club said: “Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment midway through the season.”
It added: “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.”
Sources told BBC Sport that Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, Fulham head coach Marco Silva, and former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzić are among the names being considered as potential replacements.
Iraola, 43, recently confirmed he will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, while Silva’s contract at Fulham is due to expire in July. Terzić has also previously been linked with managerial openings in the Premier League.
In the meantime, Calum McFarlane will take charge of the team on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.
McFarlane, who previously served as Rosenior’s assistant, has already led Chelsea in short-term spells this year, including a 1-1 draw against Manchester City and a defeat to Fulham in January after former boss Enzo Maresca was dismissed.
Chelsea added that the club will now begin a “process of self-reflection” to identify a long-term appointment that can restore stability.
Rosenior’s tenure included five Premier League wins in 13 matches, along with four FA Cup victories—albeit all against lower-league opposition—which carried Chelsea to the semi-finals.
McFarlane’s first match in full charge will come on Sunday when Chelsea face Leeds at Wembley, with a place in the FA Cup final at stake.