How the Chelsea squad really felt about Liam Rosenior ahead of the club’s decision to sack him on Wednesday evening has now been revealed, with his treatment of two players in particular causing tension within the dressing room. The Blues are now searching for their third different manager of the season, with Rosenior’s stint lasting just four months.
It comes after Rosenior - fast-tracked into the Stamford Bridge dugout from Strasbourg, a sister club also owned by Todd Boehly - oversaw a dismal run of five straight Premier League defeats without his side scoring a single goal. It marks the club’s worst run of form since 1912, the same year the Titanic sank. Unsurprisingly, 16 early favourites to replace the Englishman have already emerged.
When he arrived at the club following Enzo Maresca’s departure - after the Italian grew frustrated with the hierarchy’s long-term plans and walked away at the turn of the year - Rosenior promised to foster a positive atmosphere around the squad. His approachable nature initially helped him settle quickly in west London. But, as GIVEMSPORT understands, cracks have begun to appear in recent weeks, ultimately leading to a rapid deterioration behind the scenes, and, clearly, for all to see as well.
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Rosenior's Treatment of Certain Players Led To Losing Dressing Room
Robert Sanchez
Robert Sanchez
Rosenior’s decision to rotate goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen reportedly caused discontent behind the scenes, with the constant changes to the lineup from match to match disrupting the harmony within the squad. Meanwhile, the limited opportunities handed to the likes of Josh Acheampong had also not gone down well among certain members of the dressing room.
The atmosphere within Chelsea’s leadership group had also reportedly become a growing concern, with senior players often remaining quiet when asked to share their views during regular team meetings. While the 41-year-old had built a reputation as a calm and well-natured manager, tensions are said to have boiled over after the 3-0 defeat to Brighton, when he put several players on blast following yet another humbling loss.
In a results-driven business, though, the biggest issue is that the Blues now look set to miss out on Champions League football next season altogether. The west London side sit seven points behind Liverpool, who currently occupy the final qualification spot. Chelsea are still hoping to keep their silverware ambitions alive this weekend, however, with a place in the FA Cup final on the line when they face Leeds United at Wembley on Sunday.
Writing was on the Wall upon Rosenior's Chelsea Arrival
Liam Rosenior
To make matters worse for Rosenior, Enzo Fernandez publicly criticised Chelsea’s decision to part ways with his predecessor, Enzo Maresca, in January, claiming the club made little effort to repair the relationship before his exit. From that point on, winning over a dressing room packed with big personalities was always going to be an uphill battle for the new manager.
Marc Cucurella only piled more pressure on Rosenior by also suggesting Chelsea were wrong to wield the axe. As relations between players and staff continued to deteriorate behind the scenes, it became increasingly clear that, while the club may have initially viewed Rosenior as a long-term appointment, immediate success was still non-negotiable given their fragile financial situation.