Chelsea have appointed assistant coach Calum McFarlane as interim head coach until the end of the season following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior after a dismal run of results.
The decision comes after Chelsea FC lost five consecutive Premier League matches without scoring their worst goal drought since 1912.
Rosenior, who only joined the club in January on a five-and-a-half-year contract, managed just 11 wins from 23 matches in all competitions. His final game in charge ended in a 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, a result that left Chelsea seventh in the league and dented their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
Reacting after the defeat, Rosenior described his team’s display as “indefensible” and “unacceptable” amid growing frustration from supporters.
In a statement, Chelsea said the decision to part ways with the 39-year-old was not taken lightly but insisted performances had fallen below expectations.
“Liam has always conducted himself with integrity and professionalism,” the club said, “however recent results have not met the standards required.”
McFarlane, who previously stepped in on a temporary basis earlier this year following the departure of Enzo Maresca, will now lead the team through the final stretch of the campaign.
His immediate test comes this weekend, when Chelsea face Leeds United at Wembley Stadium in an FA Cup semi-final clash.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have begun the search for a permanent replacement, with Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, and Edin Terzic among the names under consideration.
Iraola is set to leave AFC Bournemouth at the end of the season, while Silva’s contract with Fulham FC expires in July. Terzic, formerly of Borussia Dortmund, has also been linked with other top roles in recent months.
Chelsea say they will now undertake a thorough review process to ensure they make the right long-term appointment as they look to stabilise the club’s direction.
