Chelsea have confirmed the decision to sack Liam Rosenior after a run of dismal results, but Micah Richards thinks he has been axed for a different reason.
Just three months into a six-and-a-half-year contract as Chelsea manager, Rosenior received his marching orders on Wednesday evening. It comes after five straight defeats in the Premier League under Rosenior.
It is the first time Chelsea have lost five league games in a row since 1993, and the first time they have failed to score in a run of five defeats since 1912. It doesn’t make good reading for the sacked gaffer.
Gary Neville says the Chelsea owners are CLUELESS! Do you agree? 🤔
Neville blames the Chelsea owners for Liam Rosenior's failure 🤷♂️
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville during the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor
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Now, Chelsea are preparing for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final without Rosenior. Calum McFarlane has been handed the reins again as a caretaker manager until the end of the season, when he will be replaced.
Micah Richards says Liam Rosenior hasn’t helped himself
Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage of Manchester City’s 1-0 away win over Burnley at Turf Moor, Micah Richards gave his verdict on Chelsea’s decision to sack Rosenior just days before the FA Cup semi-final.
The former Man City man believes Rosenior didn’t help himself, and ultimately was the author of his own downfall in the way he spoke to the press. Richards highlighted the comments about respecting the ball.
Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League
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“In his interviews, he started playing up to the media which has not helped him. Respecting the ball? That’s nonsense. For everyone, we know what social media is like these days,” Richards said last night.
“Every little detail, everything is scrutinised. I don’t think he helped himself in that aspect which brought more pressure to him, and then the players as well,” Richards continued, on Chelsea sacking Rosenior.
Chelsea won’t be paying Liam Rosenior a fee of £24m
Prior to his sacking, reports emerged that Rosenior would be entitled to a mammoth payout of £24m due to the remaining years on his contract. However, that has not turned out to be the case for the gaffer.
Chelsea owners finally pull the plug ❌
What was Liam Rosenior's biggest mistake as Chelsea boss?
Liam Rosenior sacked by Chelsea
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Indeed, a clause was inserted into his contract that means Rosenior will receive just £4m. A fee similar to the one Enzo Maresca earned when Chelsea pushed the Italian into walking away from the Chelsea job.
For now, Chelsea will be busy preparing for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against in-form Leeds United without the former Hull and Strasbourg manager. Plenty of names are already being touted for Chelsea.
The likes of Andoni Iraola, who will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, former Dortmund boss Erdin Terzic and Fulham gaffer Marco Silva have all been linked with the Chelsea job this summer.
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