In a week already defined by a humiliating Champions League collapse, Liam Rosenior has come under fire for his touchline antics, with Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker warning the Chelsea boss.
The pressure is mounting on Liam Rosenior as things threaten to unravel following a string of damaging results. While the start of Rosenior’s tenure brought a sense of excitement to Stamford Bridge, a recent dip in form has left the Blues sitting sixth in the Premier League table.
Critics have begun to point toward a lack of defensive solidity, with Chelsea shipping goals at an alarming rate while struggling to maintain the high-possession that defined their early success.
However, of late, the focus has shifted from the pitch to the dugout, with Rosenior’s touchline antics drawing as much scrutiny as his tactical setups. With the latest being the note he passed to Alejandro Garnacho when his Chelsea side were already down and out against PSG.
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Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker react to Liam Rosenior’s note antics
During the latest episode of The Rest is Football, Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker didn’t hold back when discussing Rosenior’s decision to pass the tactical note.
“And then it was 7-2 down with three minutes to go and you’re giving a note to Garnacho. That is just bringing noise on yourself, on the football club, it’s just unnecessary noise you’re creating.” Shearer argued.
Lineker offered a more nuanced take but agreed the gesture was misplaced. “I suspect the reason he did that note thing at the end is to say ‘right, we don’t give up. We’re still playing seriously’. But I agree with you. People are going to look at that and go, ‘What are you doing?’”
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Is Liam Rosenior trying too hard to project an image?
The question now being asked is whether Liam Rosenior is becoming too preoccupied with the aesthetics of management rather than the cold reality of results.
There is a growing sense that Rosenior is desperate to be seen as a tactical professor in the mold of a Pep Guardiola, but doing so during a collapse can come across as tone-deaf.
While his dedication to the project is unquestionable, the unnecessary noise Shearer speaks of is exactly what a young squad doesn’t need during a crisis.
However, there have been times this season where Rosenior takes the flak for some poor performances from his players, especially with the amount of mistakes being made.
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