Former England manager Fabio Capello has torn into Liam Rosenior following Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
There was one particular moment at Stamford Bridge that Capello could not fathom, though it had no impact on proceedings.
Chelsea lost the tie in the first leg after being beaten 5-2 at the Parc des Princes.
Do you think Chelsea should sack Liam Rosenior? Or are you willing to give him more time?🤔
Chelsea FC v Paris Saint-Germain FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg
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Fabio Capello on Liam Rosenior handing Alejandro Garnacho note during PSG defeat
Although the tie was done and dusted well before the 85th minute, that did not stop Rosenior from giving Alejandro Garnacho a note with some instructions on it at that stage of the game.
Capello thinks Rosenior was “out of his mind” for doing that and doubts that the Chelsea players would have reacted positively to it.
In fact, the Italian is quite convinced that they would have been laughing after that moment.
Speaking on Sky Sport, Capello said: “He’s out of his mind. He did something that will make the players laugh. That’s what they think. You saw his [Garnacho’s] face when he entered the pitch with that note; he was like: ‘What are you saying to me?'”
Italian former scoccer player Fabio Capello attends Le Coppe Europee SKY Sport photocall
Photo by Pamela Rovaris/Archivio Pamela Rovaris/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images
At this point, you now have to fear for Rosenior. Chelsea have conceded 28 goals in 18 games under him. He will not survive with a defence that leaky.
Criticism of Liam Rosenior becoming too harsh and unfair
Rosenior does deserve some criticism for the manner in which Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League last 16.
Losing 8-2 on aggregate is humiliating, and some of his decisions contributed to such a high scoreline.
For example, starting Filip Jorgensen instead of Robert Sanchez in the first leg was a huge gamble that did not pay off, while the same thing can be said about Mamadou Sarr’s inclusion in the first XI on Tuesday.
Did Rosenior make a mistake handing Sarr his first Champions League start in THIS scenario?
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Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images
He deserves criticism for that, but not for handing out instructions, writing down notes during the game and trying to defend the team in press conferences. It is starting to feel like bullying at this stage.
Nicknames like “LinkedIn Liam” are really uncalled for, but here we are. Winning now is the only thing that Rosenior can do to stop all the noise.
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