Chelsea make approach for Premier League manager to replace Liam Rosenior

Chelsea have already made contact with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola to replace Liam Rosenior, according to reports.

Less than 24 hours after the 3-0 defeat away to Brighton, Chelsea sacked Rosenior on Wednesday and confirmed that Calum McFarlane has been brought back as interim manager for the remainder of the season.

Chelsea have now lost now lost five league games without scoring a goal for the first time since 1912 and sit seventh in the Premier League, seven points behind fifth-placed Liverpool who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.

McFarlane is now in place for Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United this Sunday, as well as the club’s four remaining Premier League matches against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Tottenham and Sunderland.

Chelsea’s hierarchy are now working on a permanent replacement for Rosenior, who signed a five-and-a-half-year contract in January, and according to RMC Sport, initial contact has been made with Iraola.

The Spaniard has already confirmed that he will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Explaining his decision to leave Bournemouth, who currently sit ninth in the Premier League, Iraola said: ‘It has been a decision that has taken me a lot of time to take.

‘It has not been a clear decision. Always during this process, this season, I’ve been talking to the club about the situation. They were very aware that this could happen and there is not always one main reason.

‘I think the decision I’ve taken is because probably I don’t want to risk the feeling I have right now of pride and satisfaction of these three seasons.

‘And you try to envisage yourself in a possible fourth season, in a possible fifth season. Everything costs more.

‘We, as human beings, get tired of always watching the same faces. And I suppose I’ve decided that this was the right moment to put an end to this journey that for me has been really, really special.

‘The club is in a great place. I have things in this club that I will not find anywhere else. I come to work every day with a smile and this is very valuable for me.

‘But as managers, you learn because you have experience as a player, you’ve had a lot of managers, you have to choose very well when to start, where to start, when to end things.

‘And it’s not a decision that I had super-clear. Sometimes, I’ve been thinking, ‘oh, I definitely am continuing here’. Other times ‘I’m not continuing here’. It’s a matter of feeling.

‘There is a moment where you have to take a decision. And this is the decision I’ve taken.

‘I suppose I prefer to make the mistake of ‘maybe I could have stayed one year more’, but I don’t want to make the mistake of ‘it was one year too much’ and there is a small margin that you are playing with and this is what it is.’

RMC Sport’s report adds that Edin Terzic, who guided Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final in 2024, is also on Chelsea’s shortlist.

In their statement confirming Rosenior’s exit on Wednesday, Chelsea said: ‘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.

‘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.’

In what turned out to be his final press conference as Chelsea manager on Tuesday night, Rosenior took aim at his players for their woeful performance against Brighton in which they failed to register a shot on target.

‘In the basics, in the pride you should have in wearing the shirt, that was unacceptable,’ Rosenior said.

‘I’ve defended the players, and I am accountable. I’ve always said that. But after tonight, I think the players as well need to have a look in the mirror for what they put in. We lost 80 per cent of duels. We didn’t win a header. Two of the goals come when we could head the ball. At any level, if you make those errors and lack of engagement, you’re not going to win games of football.

‘I saw commitment against Manchester United three days ago.

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