Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has lifted the lid on everything going on at Chelsea following the sacking of Liam Rosenior – from the difficult relationships behind the scenes to the next manager at the Stamford Bridge side.
Chelsea sack Liam Rosenior
Romano has explained that it wasn’t just results that were an issue for Rosenior; the Chelsea players were not won over by his approach.
“It is over after another terrible game and another terrible result. Chelsea have had a very difficult time handling this situation because Rosenior arrived only a few months ago, in mid-January, after Maresca left at the beginning of the window. Chelsea went all in on Rosenior, trusted his project, and supported the manager,” Romano told his YouTube channel.
“But the situation became impossible because results are results. I always told you that. Chelsea supported the manager, Chelsea trusted the manager, Chelsea tried everything to make him feel comfortable and ready to change the situation. But then losing 3-0 against Brighton, and with five defeats in the last five games, plus zero goals scored, it became impossible to continue.
“Zero goals in five games for the first time in 114 years. That is why no board, no owner, no hierarchy in the world would have confirmed a manager in this situation. And it is not only about the results.
“The attitude of some players with the manager was also an issue. The connection between Rosenior and some Chelsea players was not the best possible, apart from the very beginning.”
Rosenior was the wrong fit
Romano claimed that Rosenior was not the right fit because his ‘DNA’ was different to Chelsea’s – despite working in a BlueCo environment in France with Strasbourg.
“It is not about Rosenior as a person. It is not about his methods. It is more about the fact that his approach was very different from what Chelsea had before and probably from what is in the club’s DNA. So the situation became really complicated,” Romano said.
“Chelsea as a club, the management, the owners, everyone tried their best to support the coach. They even worked with him ahead of the summer transfer window to decide on positions and possible signings. So the support was there. But the reality is they had to fire him.
“After meetings that started very late last night and continued early this morning, it took almost 10 hours for Chelsea’s directors, owners and decision-makers to talk, assess the situation and decide. In the afternoon, Chelsea decided to part ways with Rosenior and change managers.”
How much compensation will Chelsea pay Rosenior?
There has been speculation that Rosenior could earn a vast sum in compensation due to the £24 million still to pay on his lengthy contract. Romano says those claims are off the mark.
“One important point: there is a special clause in the January agreement between Chelsea and Rosenior that means the club will avoid paying crazy money to the manager. So financially, Chelsea will not be hit as hard as they could have been without that clause,” he said.
“And then, also important to mention, Chelsea will now appoint the U21 coach Callum McFarlane until the end of the season. That is the plan.
“He already worked with the U21s and then helped briefly in January when Maresca left and Chelsea were looking for a manager. Now he will return to the first team to help Chelsea until the end of the season and try to get them into the Champions League. There is still some hope left.
“Then in the summer, it will be time for a permanent appointment. Chelsea will immediately start looking at candidates for the permanent job. This is not something they are going to delay until the season ends. McFarlane will be in charge until then, but internally the club will already start conversations with managers and their representatives.”
Chelsea’s new direction
With Rosenior having proven to be a bust in the dugout, Chelsea will aim to ease some tension at Stamford Bridge with their next appointment.
“Chelsea believe this next appointment will be very important, also because it may help some of the players who were not happy under Rosenior,” Romano said.
“It will also be important to understand who wants to take the job with or without Champions League football, because that will be a crucial point. But I can tell you the Chelsea job is still very attractive to several important managers.
“Chelsea also want to continue with a slightly different project. They will still trust young players, still develop top talents, and still try to win trophies. That will not change. But in the summer, they also want to add some more experienced players to the squad, players who can help immediately, not only in the long term.
“So Chelsea have important weeks and months ahead. They need to find a new manager, start this new strategy, add a bit more experience, and change the approach on the pitch and off it for some of the players.
“They have already had some good news recently with Reece James signing a new deal and Moises Caicedo signing a new deal. So from the players’ side, there is total commitment. But now the manager situation becomes the crucial part.”
Next Chelsea manager: Romano names the men in the frame
Romano has talked through some of the early candidates to become the next boss of Chelsea.
“Andoni Iraola is one of them. He will now start conversations with several clubs about taking a job at the end of the season. He is leaving Bournemouth and has not signed anything with any club, so he is available. Let’s see if Chelsea go for him, but at the moment it is still early,” Roman said.
“Cesc Fabregas is another name many are mentioning. At the moment, Fabregas is totally committed to the Como project. His idea is to continue next season at Como and play European football with them. That is what he wants to do right now. If Chelsea decide to go all in on Fabregas, I will let you know, but for now he is fully focused on Como.
“Then, Enzo Maresca. Some of you ask if Chelsea could go back for Maresca, who is available again on the market. The answer is no. Between Chelsea and Maresca, it is completely over. He remains a strong candidate to become the next Manchester City manager in 2026 or 2027, depending on when Pep Guardiola decides to go. But there will be no Chelsea-Maresca reunion.
“And then Jose Mourinho. What I said a few days ago is that Mourinho would love a Real Madrid comeback if they decide to go for him. I can confirm that. Mourinho would love to return to Real Madrid, but that is all for now. There are no negotiations with Real Madrid, and I am not aware of anything with Chelsea either. Mourinho also still has a clause in his Benfica contract. So at the moment, nothing else to add there.”
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