Neville stunned by Chelsea sacking: “The owners don’t know what they’re doing”

April 24, 2026 Oliver Obel

Chelsea’s experiment with long-term planning has unravelled quickly, with Liam Rosenior dismissed just over three months into his tenure after a sharp decline in results.

The 41-year-old, who was hired in January on a six-year contract, leaves the club after only 107 days in charge. His departure follows a 3-0 defeat that extended Chelsea’s alarming run to five straight Premier League losses without scoring their worst sequence in more than a century.

Despite the club sitting eighth in the table and still within reach of European qualification, the recent collapse appears to have forced the hierarchy into action.

Ownership strategy under scrutiny

The decision has intensified criticism of Chelsea’s ownership group, BlueCo, particularly regarding their use of unusually long contracts.

Speaking to Sky Sports, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville questioned the logic behind the club’s approach. He described the six- and eight-year deals handed out by the club as “ridiculous from the start” and said they reflected an ownership group “out of its depth.”

Neville added that while managerial changes are part of football, the structure surrounding this dismissal raises deeper concerns about leadership and long-term planning.

Expensive consequences

Rosenior’s exit is not just a sporting setback but also a financial one.

According to multiple British media reports, Chelsea are expected to pay around £24 million in compensation a figure that highlights the risks of handing out extended contracts. For context, Championship side Sheffield Wednesday is valued at roughly £20 million.

The Daily Mirror reports that Chelsea have now spent approximately £160 million on managerial changes in recent years, covering severance packages for a succession of high-profile coaches and their staff.

What happens next?

For the remainder of the season, under-21 coach Calum McFarlane will step in as interim manager. He has already had a brief spell in charge earlier this campaign, overseeing a draw against Manchester City and a defeat to Fulham.

Attention is already turning to a permanent replacement. According to BBC reporting, Fulham’s Marco Silva, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzić are among the names being considered.

Chelsea now face a critical period. With an FA Cup semi-final approaching and a potential Champions League place still within reach, the club must stabilise quickly after yet another abrupt change in direction.

Sources: Sky Sports, BBC, Daily Mirror