Gary Neville Blames Chelsea Duo for Role in Liam Rosenior Sacking

Gary Neville has suggested that comments made by senior Chelsea FC players Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella may have added to the pressure that led to Liam Rosenior losing his job this week.

Rosenior was dismissed on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after Chelsea suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion. The result extended a difficult run of form, with the team now having lost five consecutive Premier League matches without scoring. It was a sequence that left Chelsea slipping to eighth in the table and facing growing uncertainty over their chances of qualifying for European competition next season.

The decision to part ways with Rosenior came just a few months after his appointment. He had taken over from Enzo Maresca at the beginning of the year and initially made a strong impression. Chelsea won seven of his first nine matches in charge, and there were signs that the team was beginning to find structure and consistency. They also progressed into the last 16 of the Champions League, which appeared to underline that early progress.

However, results began to decline as the season moved into its final stages. A heavy aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Europe was followed by a series of disappointing league performances. During that period, Chelsea struggled both in attack and defence. They created chances but failed to convert them, while also conceding goals at key moments. Over time, those issues led to a loss of confidence across the squad.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville gave his view on the situation. He accepted that results are usually the main reason behind managerial changes, but he also pointed to what he believes were contributing factors. “The results have not been good enough. When the results aren’t good enough, a manager gets sacked,” he said.

Even so, Neville suggested that the actions of experienced players may not have helped Rosenior’s position. He referred specifically to recent comments from Fernandez and Cucurella, who had spoken positively about former coach Maresca. According to Neville, those remarks came at a time when the team was struggling under Rosenior, which may have created an awkward situation.

“But come on, Cucurella and Fernandez – experienced players and probably the only two experienced players that Chelsea have got – stitched him up in the last few weeks,” Neville said. He added that openly praising a previous manager while results were poor could send the wrong message, particularly in a young squad still trying to establish stability.

At the same time, Neville broadened his criticism to include the club’s overall direction. He questioned the long-term planning at Chelsea, especially in relation to the strategy of offering extended contracts to both players and managers. While such an approach is designed to create continuity, Neville suggested it can also lead to complications if performances do not match expectations.

“I think Maresca is a fine coach as well, but this policy at Chelsea and this plan – I don’t see it,” he said. His comments reflect a wider debate about how clubs balance long-term planning with the need for short-term results.

There is also the issue of timing. Rosenior arrived mid-season, which often makes it harder for a coach to implement ideas fully. With limited time on the training ground and a busy schedule of matches, there is little room to make gradual changes. In such situations, results tend to become the main measure of success, even if the underlying process is still developing.

Neville also spoke about the role of the club’s ownership group, suggesting that the challenges Chelsea are facing go beyond the head coach. “You deserve what you get in football and it’s a reflection on them,” he said, indicating that responsibility should be shared more widely rather than placed solely on the manager.

Despite the criticism, there was also recognition that Rosenior is still early in his managerial career. Neville noted that the Chelsea role may have come at a time when the coach was still developing, though he acknowledged that such opportunities are difficult to turn down.

For Chelsea, attention now turns to the remainder of the season. Calum McFarlane has been appointed as interim head coach and will take charge of upcoming fixtures, including an FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United and key league matches against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Tottenham and Sunderland.

The immediate focus will be on stabilising performances and restoring confidence within the squad. Chelsea still have targets to play for, even if their Champions League hopes have been reduced. Finishing the season strongly could also influence decisions about the club’s long-term direction.

In the background, the club’s hierarchy are expected to review their strategy before appointing a new permanent manager. That process is likely to involve assessing both the squad and the overall structure around the team, including recruitment and player development.