BREAKING NEWS: Chelsea sack head coach Liam Rosenior, Calum McFarlane appointed until end of season
· Yahoo Sports
BREAKING NEWS: Chelsea sack head coach Liam Rosenior, Calum McFarlane appointed until end of season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Visit grenadier.co.za for more information.
Chelsea have sacked head coach Liam Rosenior after just three-and-a-half months in charge.
Rosenior was appointed after Enzo Maresca's abrupt departure from Stamford Bridge and leaves 23 games into a six-and-a-half-year contract
After a promising start under the former Hull City and Strasbourg boss, when the Blues won six out of his first seven matches, their form has completely and utterly collapsed.
Chelsea have lost seven of their past eight matches, with the only break in that slump a 7-0 FA Cup win over League One Port Vale.
Tuesday's 3-0 defeat at Brighton was Rosenior's fifth consecutive league defeat — all without scoring a goal, their longest top flight goalless streak since 1912 — after which Rosenior lambasted his players for a lack of effort and professionalism.
With the club seven points shy of the Champions League places after playing 34 games, one more than fifth-placed Liverpool, and an FA Cup semifinal against Leeds on the horizon, Chelsea's hierarchy have decided to act.
Calum McFarlane, who led the team for two games after Maresca's exit, will take interim charge until the end of the season.
Getty Images
Why did Chelsea sack Liam Rosenior?
In a statement, Chelsea pinpointed their recent slump, which also featured an 8-2 aggregate thrashing at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League.
"Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with head coach Liam Rosenior. On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, we would like to place on record our gratitude to Liam and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the club," the statement read. "Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment midway through the season.
"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. Everyone at Chelsea FC wishes Liam every success in the future.
"Calum McFarlane will take charge of the team as interim head coach until the end of the season with support from existing club backroom staff, as we strive to achieve European qualification and progress in the FA Cup.
"As the club works to bring stability to the head coach position, we will undertake a process of self-reflection to make the right long-term appointment."