CHELSEA DAGGER (REPRISE)

So. Farewell then, Liam Rosenior. After 106 days and a run of five consecutive league defeats without scoring a goal, Chelsea suits reactivated the revolving door marked Do One at Stamford Bridge and bundled him into oblivion. Rosenior lasted for 3.6% of his contract, which runs until 2032, by which time Chelsea’s coaching staff genuinely might be an army of analytical AI models in tracksuits. Rosenior’s reign began, if not with huge promise then at least a certain intrigue. Recruited from within the BlueCo matrix, the 41-year-old was flown to London for talks. An unassuming figure in spectacles and scarf, Rosenior resembled the “tech guy” in a boilerplate heist movie. Then he started talking. “The potential for this club, and for this group is limitless. And I won’t limit it,” Rosenior mused after watching a 2-1 defeat at Fulham, before adding he hoped his appointment would go down as “the best decision this club’s ever made”. Oof, this one actually aged faster than milk.

Things quickly got even stranger. There was that “respect the ball” performance art huddle with Paul Tierney, and then a tactical note passed on to the pitch when Chelsea were 8-2 down on aggregate against PSG. Social media disgraces sharpened their focus on “LinkedIn Liam”, with choice pearls dug up from his Strasbourg tenure, like: “In English, the word manage … if you split the two words, it’s man age – you’re ageing men.” Yes, this soundbite alone would be enough for the Daily to walk out on an office awayday. And yes, Rosenior was deeply naive to think this high-performance approach would attract anything other than ridicule. But to begin with, results on the pitch showed promise. When Chelsea swept through Villa in early-March, they moved to 48 points, three off the top four. But six weeks later, Rosenior’s side are still on 48 points.

The cracks really began to show during April’s international break, when Enzo Fernández and Marc Cucurella began loudly asking themselves rhetorical questions about Spanish nightlife. Rosenior responded by dropping Fernández for two games, but he was back as captain for Tuesday’s painful 3-0 defeat at Brighton, a club Chelsea have mercilessly mined for resources. As a final touch of tragicomedy, Rosenior’s starting XI was leaked by Cucurella’s barber. The same players who reportedly nicknamed Rosenior “the supply teacher” now want a stronger character in charge, who can keep big egos in check. Give Diego Simeone five minutes in that dressing room, is our advice. For now, Calum McFarlane is thrust back into the hot seat to try and reach an FA Cup final, an opportunity Rosenior will not be afforded.

At this point, it’s worth shifting our focus to the broader picture. Rosenior’s short tenure feeds into some unsettling trends, with Premier League managers more expendable than ever. His departure means there are now three English managers in the top flight: Michael Carrick (interim at present), Eddie Howe (on the brink) and Scott Parker (relegated). It also means there is just one Black manager in the Premier League (Nuno Espírito Santo), and just two more among the 72 EFL clubs. Back in January, Kick it Out’s Samuel Okafor told Big Website he hoped Chelsea’s bold appointment would help break down barriers. Now, we can’t help but wonder if Rosenior will even get another chance at the highest level. Having previously impressed at Hull and Strasbourg, his burgeoning career shouldn’t be defined by three months at a dysfunctional megaclub. Still, at least he probably knows his way around LinkedIn.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I’m so sorry. I’m pretty sure he’s a manager for that level” – Pep Guardiola reflects on Rosenior’s exit, after Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Burnley – a result that took City top of the Premier League for the first time since the opening week and relegated the Clarets – although Football Daily is not sure if Pep is trying to defend the now departed boss or throw shade on the Blues.

FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS

I started supporting Chelsea in 1970 because everyone else was supporting Leeds United and Leeds was a long way away. I enjoyed the Osgood, Hutchinson and Hudson years, endured the 1980s, got hopeful in the 1990s and smugly bathed in Russian money thereafter. In the meantime, I moved to Leeds, raised two Leeds fans and felt sorry as they grew more reliant to the minor horrors football support can inflict. Today, I nearly hope Leeds destroy Chelsea on Sunday. I am considering a transfer request, which is absurd so late in this narrative arc. Thanks Todd, you are the second worst American on the planet” – Jon Fogden.

So, Marc Cucurella’s barber leaked Chelsea’s lineup for their game against Brighton in a deleted social media disgrace post? Marc Cucurella has a barber?” – Leslie Hand.

I note with interest that in your piece on Leicester’s plummet to the third tier (yesterday’s Football Daily), you suggest they might have a trip to play the not-so-mighty Grecians next season. As any Exeter City supporter will tell you, not to mention having a quick glance at the table, that particular fixture is highly unlikely, given that we are two points adrift in the relegation zone. It seems Football Daily has more faith in us escaping the drop than we do. I’ll have a tin of what you’re drinking” – Jim Hughes (and others).

I have good and bad news for Leicester fans: the good news is you’re only two years from returning to the Promised Land. The bad is you’re only two years from non-league” – JJ Zucal.

In 2023-24, Luton finished 18th in the Premier League and were relegated from the Championship the next season. In 2024-25, Leicester finished 18th in the Premier League and were relegated from the Championship the next season. In 2025-26, remind me who’s 18th in the Premier League?” – Jim Hearson.

If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winner is … Leslie Hand. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here.

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