CHELSEA PART WAYS WITH LIAM ROSENIOR AFTER JUST FOUR MONTHS.

Chelsea have fired head coach Liam Rosenior less than four months after hiring him.

Rosenior had signed a five-and-a-half-year deal when he joined from Strasbourg—another club owned by Chelsea’s co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. But things quickly fell apart. He managed only 11 wins in 23 matches, and Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to Brighton was Chelsea’s fifth straight league defeat without scoring a single goal. That’s their worst goal drought in league games since 1912.

After the match, Rosenior called the performance “indefensible” and “unacceptable.” Chelsea’s traveling fans let him hear it with angry chants on the south coast.

The loss dropped Chelsea to seventh in the Premier League, seven points behind Liverpool, who currently hold the fifth and final Champions League spot.

The club released a statement saying, “Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment midway through the season. This has not been a decision the club has taken lightly, however recent results and performances have fallen below the necessary standards.”

According to BBC Sport sources, Chelsea are now looking at Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, Fulham boss Marco Silva, and former Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic as possible replacements. Iraola announced last week he’s leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season, Silva’s contract at Fulham expires in July, and Terzic was previously considered by Tottenham to replace Thomas Frank.

Assistant coach Calum McFarlane will take over as interim manager for the rest of the season. He previously stepped in for a 1-1 draw against Manchester City and a loss to Fulham back in January after the club sacked Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea added that they’ll take time to reflect and find the right long-term appointment. McFarlane’s first game in charge is Sunday against Leeds at Wembley for a spot in the FA Cup final.

Just how bad were things under Rosenior?

· Chelsea lost five straight league games without scoring for the first time since November 1912.

· Their five-game losing streak overall is the club’s longest in the Premier League since November 1993.

· Over the last nine league matches, only Tottenham (two points) have won fewer than Chelsea’s five.

· Chelsea have just one win in their last nine games.

· They haven’t kept a clean sheet in 12 straight league matches—only the second time that’s happened.

· In the first half against Brighton, Chelsea’s expected goals (xG) was just 0.04—worse than any half under former boss Enzo Maresca.

· They didn’t take their first shot until the 41st minute, their longest wait in a league game this season.

· Only West Ham (15) have conceded more goals from corners than Chelsea (11), which ties the Blues’ own unwanted record from 1994-95.