Chelsea could face an eyewatering cost if they choose to sack Liam Rosenior after their worst sequence of results for 114 years.
The Blues lost 3-0 at Brighton on Tuesday in their fifth successive defeat without scoring a goal – something which they hadn’t endured since 1912 – and leaves Chelsea’s Champions League hopes dangling by a thread, with Rosenior’s side sitting seven points behind fifth-placed Liverpool and in danger of missing out on European football altogether.
Chelsea have previously insisted that Rosenior will be their manager for the long-term after the former Strasbourg coach signed a six-and-a-half year deal when he was appointed in January.
However, reports emerged on Wednesday that Chelsea are considering Rosenior’s future, with senior figures at the club discussing the next steps in a ‘fluid’ situation.
With a rumoured salary of more than €4 million a year, Chelsea could be faced with a bill in excess of €24m if Rosenior is sacked, assuming there is no fixed termination clause.
The outlay would be another damaging blow to the club’s finances, particularly after also handing former managers Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Enzo Maresca lucrative payoffs in recent years.
Rosenior faces fight for future after damaging Brighton loss
Chelsea are already facing financial pressure to qualify for the Champions League and they could see a number of stars depart this summer if they finish outside the top five, even if the Blues reach the FA Cup final with a win over Leeds on Sunday.
Supporters made their feelings clear after the loss to Brighton, while Rosenior also refused to defend his players, having previously been an encouraging figure despite their decline in form.
“By far, by far [that was the worst performance of the lot],” Rosenior said after the game. “That was unacceptable in every aspect of the game. Unacceptable in attitude. I keep coming out and defending the players… that was 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 has to change drastically right here, right now.
“I can’t keep coming out here defending some of the things that we’re seeing. The general attitude, spirit, was lacking. The determination [was there] from three or four of the starting eleven. That’s nowhere near enough for this club. I can’t come out and lie. I’ll tell the truth. That was an unacceptable performance in every area.
“That doesn’t represent anything that I want to see, and I won’t ever see it again. The performance in terms of professionalism wasn’t there. Some of the things I witnessed today, I never, ever want to ever see again.”
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