Liam Rosenior don lose im job at Chelsea after less than four months, even though dem give am six-year contract for January. Di head coach bin lose seven of im last eight games, and di final blow na di shocking defeat to Brighton last Tuesday.
Co-owner Behdad Eghbali, wey dey run di club, bin back Rosenior public for Los Angeles conference last Thursday, saying, ‘I think we are behind Liam. We think he can be successful long term.’ But six days and two damaging defeats later, Rosenior don comot.
Saturday game against Manchester United bin crucial for Chelsea Champions League hopes, and fans bin plan anti-ownership demonstration before kick-off. Sources near Chelsea say Eghbali no speak for LA as pre-emptive move—di conference bin arrange months ago.
On Friday, Chelsea try change di mood by announcing Moises Caicedo new contract, wey extend am by one year to 2033 with pay rise. Same day, Cole Palmer interview appear for The Guardian, where Palmer talk say he want stay and say Rosenior na good manager wey need proper pre-season.
Eghbali no go Stamford Bridge for United game. Di defeat bin big blow for Champions League hopes, and late goals by Liverpool and Aston Villa on Sunday make top five almost impossible. Despite dat, Chelsea bin still ready give Rosenior more time, but Brighton defeat na final straw. Eghbali fly come for dat game, plus sporting directors Paul Winstanley, Laurence Stewart, and recruitment director Joe Shields.
On Tuesday night, e clear say something must change. Di players no dey play for Rosenior, fans dey voice displeasure toward owners, and for first time, sustained chants call for Rosenior to leave. Rosenior, wey bin shellshocked, turn on im players for post-match interviews—dat move rarely end well for managers.
Some players like Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez bin closer to Enzo Maresca than Rosenior. Chelsea sporting leadership team discuss wetin to do on Wednesday while players dey off. Dem decide say Rosenior must go, and Eghbali na di driving force behind final call.
One key consideration for sacking manager during season na who go take over. Chelsea need interim for next few weeks before permanent appointment for summer. Di only problem na say no too many candidates dem willing consider, so dem go back to Calum McFarlane. Di 40-year-old bin in charge for two games after Maresca leave—draw against Manchester City and defeat to Fulham.
Bringing former player like John Terry go be more popular with fans and get galvanising effect, but dem decide appoint someone from within current structure. Chelsea statement say dem go reflect before new appointment, but big question na whether controversial structure—including five sporting directors—go remain.
For permanent appointment, Chelsea go take time. No shortlist and no No 1 candidate at moment. Dem go target manager with proven Premier League experience or pedigree of success at high level. Managers like Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner, and Xabi Alonso dey available dis summer. Marco Silva fit leave Fulham next month, while Cesc Fabregas, wey dey Como, go be popular appointment, although e fit end up for Arsenal one day.
In di past, Chelsea bin hold talks with high-profile managers like Luis Enrique, Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Frank, and Roberto De Zerbi. Di new manager almost certainly no go get Champions League football, and dat fit affect players like Fernandez, wey fit be sold if offer more than £100m come. Chelsea go target signing more experienced players dis summer for ‘tweak’ rather than wholesale change.
Meanwhile, Chelsea financial losses bin well documented. Dem fit take hit of at least £80m from no Champions League next season, and e go make am harder to secure elusive front-of-shirt sponsor. Latest accounts show loss of £262m, but dem expect losses to fall next set of figures, thanks to Champions League dis season and winning FIFA Club World Cup last summer.
Dis season don turn to soap opera—who fit forget di infamous huddle? Di mole wey dey leak team news? Fernandez openly flirting with Real Madrid? Cucurella lamenting departure of Maresca and questioning how di club dey run? Fernandez no allowed to play for crucial game against Manchester City?
Your most in-form centre-back, Axel Disasi, dey play for West Ham on loan after dem freeze am out at Chelsea? Nicolas Jackson wey dem deride dey pick up trophies for Bayern Munich while im replacement, Liam Delap, score one league goal all season? And Cucurella barber deserve honourable mention for apparently leaking team news on social media before Brighton game.
Many mistakes don happen on and off pitch, but ultimately Chelsea season bin derail when Maresca feel so undermined say e walk out just before turn of year. Much criticism dey justified, but make we no forget say nine of di players wey play for abject defeat to Brighton also play for 3-0 victory over Barcelona five months ago. Sometimes di manager really be di problem—as well as everything else.
A break clause mean Chelsea no go pay full six years remaining for Rosenior contract. E dey due seven-figure sum wey dem see as fair settlement for both sides. Make we no forget say Rosenior dey good company for managers wey Chelsea don sack—big names like Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, Thomas Tuchel, and Roberto Di Matteo don show dem di door, and di last two go after winning European Cup.
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