Rosenior was shown the door after just three months in the Stamford Bridge hot seat
20:20, 22 Apr 2026
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New Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane was in talks to join the Celtic coaching set-up earlier this season, according to reports.
The Premier League giants announced the sacking Liam Rosenior on Wednesday after just three months in charge.
Tuesday's abject 3-0 defeat away to Brighton marked the Blues' fifth consecutive defeat in the Premier League without scoring and their worst run of top-flight form in 114 years.
The Mirror report Chelsea's hierarchy held talks on Wednesday over Rosenior's future, ultimately deciding to switch managers again with MacFarlane taking charge until the end of the season.
He will step into the role for the second time in four months - having been in the hot seat when Enzo Maresca was shown the door earlier in the campaign.
But things could have been very different for McFarlane had he agreed a move north of the border after Brendan Rodgers left Glasgow's east end this term.
MacFarlane - who boasts coaching experience at Manchester City and Southampton away from Stamford Bridge - was reportedly in talks with Scottish Premiership giants.
The 42 report that Celtic "requested permission" to speak to the 39-year-old, with a view to bringing him in following the announcement of Martin O'Neill's first interim stint at Celtic Park this term. It is said Chelsea "reluctantly accepted", but a move failed to materialise.
It is unclear what role the Hoops would have wanted McFarlane to fulfil. It is claimed the Blues view McFarlane as the "rising star of the multi-club model" that is currently in place.
He led Chelsea to a last-gasp draw at Man City and a 2-1 defeat at Fulham, in a match which saw Marc Cucurella sent off in the first half. Rosenior kept McFarlane as part of the first-team coaching staff.
A Chelsea statement read: "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."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."
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