Liam Rosenior could be sacked after less than four months in charge (Image: Getty)
Chelsea‘s top brass have already identified their dream candidate to replace Liam Rosenior in the Stamford Bridge dugout, according to reports. Rosenior is fighting a battle to save his skin after overseeing a dismal run of five straight Premier League defeats. It has seen the Blues slip to seventh in the table, five points adrift of the Champions League places as things stand.
Their ongoing slump has reportedly forced Chelsea bosses into an emergency meeting, bringing forward their initial plans to assess Rosenior’s future at the end of next season. There is now a real possibility that he could be sacked before this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United, but a final decision is yet to be made.
The former Strasbourg boss signed a six-and-a-half-year contract when he arrived in January, meaning Chelsea would need to shell out millions in compensation if the trigger is pulled.
Nevertheless, those in power in west London are already thinking about potential successors, with one name reportedly standing out above the rest.
They have identified Julian Nagelsmann as the ‘dream’ choice to take over if Rosenior is axed, according to TEAMtalk. It’s claimed the Germany boss is highly regarded by BlueCo and senior decision-making figures at the club.
Nagelsmann is only tied down until after this summer’s World Cup, meaning Chelsea could appoint him without paying compensation if his contract is not renewed.
The report adds that Blues chiefs may wait until the end of the season before deciding whether to relieve Rosenior of his duties.
It is not just results that will be assessed, but also how the squad responds to the current slump and whether or not there are any signs of progress.
Chelsea were dealt another crushing blow on Tuesday night as they suffered a one-sided defeat at the hands of Brighton, denting their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Julian Nagelsmann has reportedly emerged as Chelsea’s preferred choice (Image: Getty)
After the final whistle, a furious Rosenior launched a scathing attack on his players, describing their collective display as unacceptable.
He added: “That’s indefensible, that performance tonight, the manner of the goals we conceded, the amount of duels that we lost, the lack of intensity in the team.
“Something needs to change drastically right now. The professionalism wasn’t there. It’s a really difficult night. The most difficult night not even just here, so far, at this magnificent football club, but in my career.
‘Some of the things I witnessed today, I never want to see again. I am accountable, I’ve always said that, but after tonight, I think the players as well need to have a look in the mirror for what they put in.
“We lost 80 per cent of duels. We didn’t win a header. Two of the goals come when we could head the ball. At any level, if you make those errors and lack of engagement, you’re not going to win games of football.
‘I saw commitment against Manchester United three days ago. We lost the game, but the performance was very, very good. Today was the complete opposite in every aspect. That’s what disappointed me the most.”