Former Manchester United star Gary Neville has taken aim at Chelsea's hierarchy following their decision to sack Liam Rosenior following the club's defeat to Brighton
Gary Neville
Gary Neville has hit out at Chelsea's owners following Liam Rosenior's sacking(Image: Sky Sports)
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Gary Neville has called out Chelsea's owners and sporting directors after their sacking of Liam Rosenior. The former Manchester United captain has questioned the Blues' strategy after parting ways with a second head coach this season.
Chelsea sacked Rosenior after three months in charge following the west London side's comprehensive defeat to Brighton. It marked the fifth time the Blues had lost in a row without scoring a goal.
The club were in freefall ahead of the FA Cup semi-final clash against Leeds United, dropping to seventh with a real possibility of missing out on European football. That appears to have forced Chelsea into action.
Neville is surprised to see Rosenior depart before the end of the season but believes the end of his time of the club reflects worse on the owners rather than on his abilities.
"I am not shocked that Liam is leaving the club," Neville said on Sky Sports. "I am shocked he is leaving today, I thought at the end of the season it probably would happen.
"I don't think it is a reflection on Liam at all. He will be disappointed with that (losing games). I think it is time for the owners, sporting directors and players to reflect on their role in the last few weeks. The owners are getting it really badly wrong there, let's be clear."
Chelsea have appointed Calum McFarlane as interim head coach until the end of the season. In their statement confirming Rosenior's exit, the club revealed that they would take time to self-reflect before making their next permanent appointment.
"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," the statement read.
Chelsea interim manager Calum McFarlane with Reece James
Calum McFarlane was also briefly in charge in January following Enzo Maresca's departure(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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"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."
The Blues head to Wembley this weekend to take on Leeds in the FA Cup semi-final. They have games remaining against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Tottenham and Sunderland as they bid to secure European football.
They are level on points with Brentford and Bournemouth in eighth and ninth, and one points ahead of Everton, and two ahead of Sunderland. Their Premier League rivals all have a game in hand.