Chelsea are now searching for their seventh boss in just over four years under owners BlueCo after they sacked Liam Rosenior on the back of a calamitous 3-0 defeat to Brighton
Chelsea are now looking for their seventh manager since BlueCo replaced Roman Abramovic as the club’s owners in March 2022. Liam Rosenior was sacked after just 106 days in charge.
The axe fell less than 24 hours after a dreadful 3-0 loss against Brighton, Chelsea’s fifth consecutive defeat in the Premier League and their seventh in the past eight matches across all competitions. Once again the Blues will turn to Under-21 boss Calum McFarlane to take charge until the end of the season when they will make a permanent appointment.
There have already been fans protests aimed at the owners and their handling of the club. With pressure intensifying of the American ownership group, their next move could be make or break for them. Here, Star Football considers five men being tipped to be the next Chelsea manager.
Filipe Luis
Filipe Luis was reportedly amongst the frontrunners alongside Rosenior when Enzo Maresca was dismissed in January. Given that the club’s hierarchy has already conducted extensive background checks on him, he would present the most straightforward choice.
Following his departure from Flamengo in March, the Brazilian is presently unattached and could be hired without any compensation fee. His past as a Chelsea player also provides him with instant connection to a disgruntled Stamford Bridge support.
Nevertheless, the primary concern is his restricted experience – having only coached in Brazil, Luis would be stepping into an entirely unfamiliar environment. Like Rosenior, doubts persist about whether he could assume command of a squad packed with expensive, underperforming players, making the appointment seem more like a sideways step rather than a new beginning.
Oliver Glasner
With his departure from Crystal Palace already announced for the end of the season, Oliver Glasner might contemplate leaving somewhat sooner. His tenure at Selhurst Park has been exceptional, particularly highlighted by their FA Cup triumph last season.
While Manchester United were previously regarded as the favourites to secure him, their enthusiasm may have diminished due to Michael Carrick’s impressive stint as caretaker manager at Old Trafford. Chelsea would be securing a manager with a demonstrated track record who has shown an ability to surpass expectations in the Premier League. He offers the sort of tactical organisation and structural stability that the current squad has obviously been missing.
Andoni Iraola
Similar to Glasner, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has announced he will depart at the end of the campaign. With the club having already confirmed Marco Rose as his successor this week, Iraola will be a free agent in the summer. It is unlikely he will choose to exit before the season concludes.
Chelsea would probably need to offer a significant salary package alongside a guaranteed long-term contract, especially with other major European clubs hovering. Athletic Bibao are the favourites to take the Basque boss back to his roots but the possibility of taking charge at Stamford Bridge with all the resources available too him will be hard to turn down.
Iraola’s high-intensity style would probably provide the spark this Chelsea squad requires to rediscover its identity.
Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas is presently delivering extraordinary results in Serie A, where his Como outfit are surprisingly contending for a top-four position. While he stays devoted to his venture in Italy, his powerful emotional bond to Chelsea remains meaningful. As a pupil of Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola, his tactical expertise is considered elite amongst up-and-coming managers. Chelsea fans continue to sing his name and his appointment could deliver an instant boost to the tense mood engulfing the club.
The obstacle would be convincing him to abandon a possible Champions League spot to join what looks like a mid-table reconstruction. It would demand a substantial push from the club’s hierarchy to persuade him that this represents the perfect time to make his comeback.
John Terry
If the club decides to prioritise re-connecting with the fans and fixing team spirit for the rest of the campaign, naming a genuine club legend could be seen as a wise move. John Terry is already working within the club’s academy system, so the owners know his character and work ethic.
He has publicly stated his desire to manage the senior squad and would probably welcome a temporary caretaker role to prove his worth. While his managerial credentials are modest, his standing as a “Captain, Leader, Legend” still holds tremendous sway at the club.
His shortage of tactical experience could be offset by his innate leadership qualities and commanding personality. In a team that seems to lack fight, Terry’s impact could be sufficient to restore some dignity.
However, the club has previously attempted the ‘club legend as caretaker boss’ approach. When Graham Potter was sacked in 2023, Frank Lampard came back for a short period – and it’s reasonable to say that decision didn’t produce the desired results.