Chelsea sacked manager Liam Rosenior on Wednesday following a catastrophic run of form that has left the London club’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread while they also endured their worst goalscoring drought in over a century.

Rosenior lasted ⁠less than four months in the role after his January appointment following Enzo Maresca’s departure, becoming the latest casualty of Chelsea’s turbulent season after seven defeats in their last eight matches across all competitions.

Rosenior’s dismissal came a day after a humiliating 3-0 loss at Brighton & Hove Albion, which saw the south-coast club leapfrog Chelsea into sixth place in the table. Chelsea are now seven ⁠points behind fifth-placed Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

Here are five potential candidates to replace him – and one who surely won’t.

Felipe Luis

Felipe Luis was sacked by Flamengo last month, despite winning several trophies during his 100-game stint in charge of the Brazilian club. The former Chelsea defender would be a gamble, however, given his lack of experience coaching in European football.

Andoni Iraola

The Bournemouth manager, who will leave the south coast club this summer, has proven he can earn results in the Premier League while playing an attractive brand of football. He has also done it while improving young players and increasing their value, something that is clearly part of the current Chelsea project. But Iraola is reported to be considering a move back to his home club, Athletic Bilbao, for family reasons as much as football ones.

Cesc Fabregas

Like Felipe Luis, Fabregas would be something of a gamble given his lack of experience, having managed only one club, the Italian side Como. But Fabregas has worked wonders with the Serie A minnows and has them on the brink of European football next season. The 38-year-old is widely considered one of the brightest young coaches in the game.

Marco Silva

The Fulham manager has regularly been tipped to move on from Craven Cottage during his impressive five-year spell. He has a notable track record, winning trophies in Portugal and Greece in years gone by, and may feel he is ready for a new challenge at a Champions League club when his contract expires this summer.

Xabi Alonso

The former Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager is still out of work after his time at the Santiago Bernabeu was cut short earlier this season. He may be holding out for the Liverpool job, giving his links to Anfield, but Alonso will no doubt be considered by the Chelsea hierarchy and remains one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe.

Frank Lampard

Lampard would be a popular pick among fans at a time when the club is drifting and supporter sentiment is at a deep low. But surely the Coventry manager will not be tempted by a risky jump to Stamford Bridge – again – having just steered his team to the Championship title and a return to the premier League after 25 years away.

Chelsea’s next manager latest odds

Former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion David Haye has revealed which man hit him hardest during his 32-fight professional career.

Haye established himself as one of the biggest punchers in the cruiserweight division during the 2000s, with his first 16 victories all coming inside of the distance, as the Bermondsey-born operator announced himself on the big stage.

In 2007, Haye knocked out Jean Marc Mormeck to get his hands on the unified WBA and WBC cruiserweight world titles, with his only defence of those belts coming in a title unification against WBO champion Enzo Maccarinelli, before moving up to heavyweight.

The Brit needed just one fight before challenging Russian giant Nikolai Valuev for the WBA heavyweight world title and claiming a majority-decision win. He defended that belt twice, then suffered a second career defeat, losing a wide decision to the legendary Wladimir Klitschko.

Speaking to Jack Figg, Haye admitted that the imposing Valuev was the biggest puncher he ever faced.

“Valuev [was the hardest puncher that I faced]. The few shots that I did take from Valuev, it was noticeably different. Because he was so big, seven-foot [and] 150 kilos, he didn’t have to load up with punches. He is just naturally bigger so he kind of just flicks his arm out.

“I noticed that very quick, he wasn’t as slow as I hoped he would be. So, I had to really, really stay switched on to not feel that power.”

Haye retired with a record of 28-4 after consecutive defeats to Tony Bellew, with injuries hampering him in both of those losses.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been sent a clear response to his Declan Rice admission by Roy Keane and Gary Neville

Gary Neville and Roy Keane have both stated that Pep Guardiola was wrong in his assessment of Declan Rice. He was captured by Sky Sports cameras saying “it’s not done” after Manchester City beat Arsenal in a huge Premier League title clash last Sunday, with City’s win against Burnley on Wednesday sending them top of the table.

Ahead of that game, Guardiola was asked about the Rice clip and the City boss admitted he loved it as it showed Arsenal’s strong mentality and why they are in the title race. Neville and Keane, however, interpreted it quite differently.

The former stated on the latest episode of Stick to Football: “Pep said he loved the Declan Rice clip saying ‘it’s not done’, do you think Declan was in control when he was saying that or was it just emotion and hope?”

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Ian Wright responded: “Whatever he was feeling at the time, if I’m the opposition watching that, I’d be thinking ‘they’re not done and he’s their main guy’.”

Keane interjected “No no wow.”

Neville, in agreement with his former Manchester United team-mate added: “No, if I was watching Declan Rice nearly in tears, and saying it’s not done, I’d be thinking you’re done. ‘It’s not done, It’s not done.’ I look at him and think he’s done.”

Wright clarified: “This is what I’m trying explain, if Pep shows them that, the Man City players will be saying ‘we’ve got them’.”

Neville then said: “It’s a good response, I’m just saying I didn’t feel confident- I’m a big fan of his and I said potentially last week that he would grip that game-

Keane brutally interjected: “And did he? Did he?” Neville, in response to that, said: “No I thought Bernardo Silva and Rodri got a grip of that game.”

Keane finished off the exchange stating: “Exactly, exactly. You have to win that middle of the park battle.”

Guardiola did offer a detailed verdict on why he was such a big fan of Rice’s comment despite a second successive defeat in the Premier League for Arsenal.

He told Sky Sports: “I saw it [on Monday] and it shows what Declan Rice means. That’s the Arsenal mentality, we’ve faced it in the Premier League these [past] seasons and in the Carabao Cup, how competitive they are.”

“Otherwise they can’t have done the season they have done in the Premier League being there and being unbeaten in the Champions League, as you have Mikel [Arteta] but also these type of players that follow the message.”

“And in the bad moments, they have the resilience [to say] we are there, we are there. That is a good example for us what we’re going to face in the six games, five games [for them] in the title race.”

Former Chelsea captain John Terry says he is “worried” about the future of the club and the “position we are in” following the sacking of Liam Rosenior.

Terry, who works as a part-time mentor in Chelsea’s academy, also confirmed he had not received a call about helping interim manager Calum McFarlane.

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Rosenior was sacked just three months into a six-year contract and with Chelsea looking unlikely to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Under-21s coach McFarlane will take charge until the end of the season, having overseen the draw at Manchester City following the departure of Enzo Maresca earlier this campaign.

“I sit here worrying tonight about what is going to happen with our football club,” Terry said on his TikTok account. “Looking at us needing a manager after the weekend, I’m not sure when ownership are going to make a decision and bring a new manager in.

“Is a real top manager going to come to Chelsea Football Club at the moment in the position we are in? Can’t buy players, looking like we are going to have to sell potentially and that will be our best players, which is always tough. We will not be playing in European football, I hope I am wrong.

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“[I’m] really, really frustrated, and worried more importantly. I feel the anger, feel the frustration of the Chelsea supporters.

“But listen, I’ve seen 17 managers in my era come and go as Chelsea captain. What the players have to do is just get together and really focus on the weekend’s game and forget about all the noise around and everything.

“We have a massive game, it is really difficult, but also really easy to do as players to forget the noise and focus on what’s ahead of you and that is the Leeds game at the weekend. We’ve seen this time and time and time again, but maybe the future isn’t as clear as we’ve always seen.”

In February, Terry said he was “frustrated” at being overlooked for the Chelsea interim role following the departure of Maresca. He said he “should have been a part” of the caretaker group that oversaw the draw at Manchester City.

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“I am not sure what Calum’s backroom staff is going to look like, I have not had a call, I have not had a message,” Terry added in his TikTok post. “I will be continuing my role in the academy, I will be in the academy tomorrow, a big couple of games coming up.

“We will all get behind Calum, he did a great job away against Man City previously and we will get behind the boys because that is what we do.’

As Manchester United continue to look for a new midfielder to sign in the summer, a new report has claimed they are about to make a £50million bid

Manchester United are considering making a £50million bid for Carlos Baleba. The Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for the best part of a year.

Ruben Amorim was understood to be keen on the Cameroonian midfielder, but after the club had forked out more than £200million on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, the club decided to park their interest. However, with Casemiro leaving at the end of the campaign and Manuel Ugarte struggling to convince, United may be set to breathe new life into their interest for Baleba.

It’s believed the Reds ‘broadly agreed personal terms’ with the 22-year-old when they were first interested in him. With this in mind, they could test Brighton’s resolve with a £50m bid.

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The Athletic understands that’s the figure United may start their approach with. This season has not been the easiest for Baleba.

He has been substituted off on 15 occasions this season by Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler. He has only lasted the full 90 minutes on three occasions this campaign, including their recent 3-0 home victory over Chelsea on Tuesday.

United also heavily tracked his displays in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, where he made five appearances. He was an important player for Cameroon, who reached the quarter-finals of the competition before losing 2-0 to hosts Morocco.

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One thing which could be difficult for United is the price-point. When the Reds were first interested in him, Brighton made it clear they will want £100m, similar to the transfer fee Chelsea forked out for Moises Caicedo in the summer of 2023.

In the summer, it was understood United were willing to go as high as £75m to bring him to Old Trafford. Now it’s believed the club will not want to go much higher than £50m, which may not be received too well by the Seagulls.

The Reds have also been linked with Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, Nottingham Forest ace Elliot Anderson and Newcastle United duo Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. However, the Premier League quartet would not come cheap.

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United are also believed to be in the market for two central midfield players to fill the void departed by Casemiro. They may also need a third if Ugarte departs the club, with the Uruguayan recently being linked with Juventus and Ajax.

These negotiations may also depend on who is in the dugout at Old Trafford come the end of the season. Michael Carrick has dragged the Reds from 7th to third since he took over the club, with United being amongst the best performers of 2026.

However, the Reds are undecided on whether he is the right man for the job and will make their decision at the end of the campaign.

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

Scarce are the thoroughbreds in preparation boasting two Golden Slipper-conquering sires and dams, so Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott of Tulloch Lodge were justifiably pleased with a win from exquisitely bred filly Loera.

Out of 2013 Slipper winner Overreach by 2016 victor Capitalist, Loera was raised by her dam’s owners the Altomonte family, previous partners with Waterhouse for Overreach.

Bott, pre-partnership days employed at Tulloch Lodge during Overreach’s juvenile phase, remarked on Loera’s resemblance to her renowned mother.

“It’s very satisfying to get that important victory for her. She is a very well bred filly, and I’m delighted to be able to have the opportunity to train her from the Altomontes,” Bott said.

🟠🟤 Two Golden Slipper winners in Capitalist and Overreach produced the beautiful LOERA 🥇 Bred by the Altomonte family at Corumbene Stud, she took out her maiden in super style and it won’t be her last win 🐎 💨 @clarkyhk pic.twitter.com/HV4oLRGHyG

— Gai Waterhouse AO (@GaiWaterhouse1) April 22, 2026

“We had Overreach, and she was obviously very talented. This filly has got so much upside herself. She has come through two very strong races and I’m sure she can go on with it.

“Physically, they are very similar types. Loera is obviously a filly who didn’t go as early as her mother did, but I’m sure there is still plenty of talent there to progress with.”

After a debut second at Rosehill earlier this month, Loera at $2.40 dominated Wednesday’s TAB Plate (1250m), edging Graffiti Tycoon ($1.75 favourite) by three-quarters after the latter’s poor start.

Bott ponders her campaign’s extent but will evaluate post-race and consider the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) at Scone May 16 if she’s on song.

“I don’t want to push her too far this preparation. This is her first racing campaign. But I’d love to be able to get some black type along the way for the family,” he said.

“If we can do that this preparation, if she comes through it well, we potentially could look at something through Scone or Queensland.”

Trainer Ciaron Maher has Scone ambitions for Events, the Godolphin Lonhro filly who broke through at Canterbury on Wednesday with a resilient lead effort.

Johann Gerard-Dubord, Maher’s Sydney foreman, affirmed the patience stemmed from her evident class.

“She has always shown a bit of ability, which is why we took our time with her,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“We’d love to get a bit of black type at some stage if possible. You’ve got a race like the Denise’s Joy, which is not that far away, and that could be a nice option.

“We’ll have a chat to the Godolphin team and see what they’re thinking. It’s a good time of year, she won’t mind tracks with a bit of give, so there are plenty of options.”

Punters should check betting sites for markets on Loera potentially in the Denise’s Joy Stakes.

Brian McDermott will lead England’s men into this autumn’s Rugby League World Cup as their new head coach.

The 56-year-old, who won four Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups, the World Club Challenge and the League Leaders’ Shield in eight years as head coach of Leeds Rhinos, takes over from Shaun Wane, who stepped down in January.

McDermott, currently working as an assistant coach at NRL club Gold Coast Titans, will take the England role on a part-time basis, in contrast to his full-time predecessor Wane.

The Yorkshireman was selected by the Rugby Football League from a five-man shortlist, which also included current Leeds head coach Brad Arthur, Warrington’s Sam Burgess, St Helens’ Paul Rowley and former England head coach Steve McNamara.

McDermott said: “I’m incredibly proud to take on the role of England head coach ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

“My focus now is on creating an environment where players can perform with confidence, represent the shirt with pride, and give themselves the best chance of going deep into the tournament.

“I’ve always been hands-on and close to the detail, and that will be important in this role. My job now is to get the standards right, build belief in the group, and make sure we’re ready when it matters.”

McDermott began his career as a head coach in 2006 with Harlequins RL – now London Broncos – before taking charge of Leeds in 2010, enjoying a trophy-laden eight-year stint, during which he also coached the United States national team.

He subsequently had spells with Toronto Wolfpack and Featherstone, before becoming an assistant coach at Newcastle Knights in 2022, and then the Titans last September.

England’s World Cup campaign in Australia begins against Tonga in Perth on 17 October, with games against France and Papua New Guinea to follow.

Hull KR’s treble-winning head coach Willie Peters had told the BBC in February that he was keen to have discussions over the role, but ruled himself out of the running by accepting an offer to join new NRL side Papua New Guinea Chiefs at the end of this season.

Manchester United will need a new central midfielder when Casemiro leaves the club in the summer

Three more points at Chelsea on Saturday night mean Manchester United are that bit closer to Champions League qualification. Major signings are expected to follow should they complete the task, and central midfield represents one of the priority areas with Casemiro set to depart in the summer and a replacement required.

Aurelien Tchouameni joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2022, the same window which saw Casemiro complete a big-money move to Old Trafford. History could be about to repeat itself if reports are to be believed, with Tchouameni emerging as a potential replacement for the Brazilian yet again.

United’s progress under Michael Carrick has been impressive and they only need six more points to lock in a top-five finish. Three of those five games are at home, starting with Brentford on Monday.

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Greater clarity over summer transfer strategy is expected to emerge once United establish whether Champions League football is on the menu. That hasn’t prevented speculation, however, and we have the latest developments here.

Tchouameni deal has moving parts

The departures of Casemiro and Jadon Sancho could make it simpler for United to accommodate Aurelien Tchouameni’s wages should they reach a transfer agreement with Real Madrid, according to BBC Sport. With two high earners set to leave when their contracts expire, any concerns over the wage budget are unlikely to rest on whether Barcelona take up their option on Marcus Rashford at the conclusion of his loan spell.

One potential complication, however, is Madrid’s need to secure a suitable replacement. The Manchester Evening News understands that Premier League stars Rodri and Enzo Fernandez are likely to hold the key to the move as they eye at least one marquee name before sanctioning Tchouameni’s departure.

Rodri is approaching the final year of his Manchester City contract and has long been admired in the Spanish capital. Argentina international Fernandez may also be on the market this summer, with Chelsea potentially needing to offload stars if they fail to secure Champions League football.

Barcelona exit transfer race

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According to Mundo Deportivo, Brazilian wonderkid Eduardo Conceicao is not a player Barcelona want to sign right now. Palmeiras youngster Conceicao has reportedly been the subject of a United bid worth approximately £35million plus add-ons, but there is seemingly no substance to claims of meetings between the player’s representatives and Barca director of football Deco.

United could still face competition from elsewhere in the Premier League, however. The same outlet suggests Newcastle have also submitted a bid, while Manchester City are reported to have cast an eye over the 16 year old. Conceicao, a winger, grabbed two goals and two assists for Brazil in this year’s South American Under-17 championship. Much like his compatriot Estevao, who is now at Chelsea, the youngster will be unable to make the move to Europe until he reaches the age of 18.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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Man Utd are on the hunt for a new No. 6 this summer and the ideal candidate will come into the side to partner Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.

In many ways, it’s a shame Manchester United didn’t see more of Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro playing alongside each other in midfield. Since January, the boy from Stockport and the experienced Brazilian have formed a complementary partnership, one that has been hiding in plain sight at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick and his coaching staff deserve credit for setting up the team in a way that has allowed the pair to thrive, helping each other along and getting protection from elsewhere as well. They have started 11 of Carrick’s 12 games in charge and have been the bedrock of a successful run.

Mainoo has loved his time playing alongside Casemiro and is still learning from the five-time Champions League winner now, but the clock is ticking on their time together, with the former Real Madrid man set to depart at the end of this season.

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Recruitment bosses at Old Trafford have been aware that was the plan all season and have had plenty of time to draw up plans to sign a replacement. With Ruben Amorim gone, a 4-2-3-1 back on the agenda and Mainoo back in the team, the desire is to sign an elite-level No. 6 who can play alongside the homegrown academy graduate.

Casemiro fit the bill in many ways. He could do the defensive work, but brought some brawn to the engine room as well. At times, he was Mainoo’s shield, the more physical player who would try to let the younger man do his thing on the ball.

Both players have a good passing range and it is noticeable that Mainoo’s defensive work has improved – he was outstanding in that area against Chelsea on Saturday night. They have developed an understanding of their respective strengths and the team has been set up to get the best out of both of them.

That is what United need to replicate now, with Casemiro on his way and Mainoo set to sign a new five-year contract. He turned 21 the day after the win at Chelsea and looks like being a key member of the side going forward.

Mainoo’s return to prominence is one reason why United have cooled interest in Adam Wharton. While an excellent technical footballer, he is considered similar to Mainoo in the way he progresses the ball. Neither has the physical dominance required in a Premier League engine room these days.

Elliot Anderson does tick that box and looks like he should complement Mainoo, but the best fit might be Aurelien Tchouameni, the 26-year-old France international that United are monitoring ahead of the summer window.

Tchouameni is a key member of the Real Madrid side at the moment, but his situation could change if the La Liga giants land one of their own midfield targets, with Rodri of Manchester City and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez at the top of the list.

In an era when winning duels and individual battles are key to success in the Premier League, signing a player with Tchouameni’s physical attributes makes a lot of sense. He is also strong in the air, which is a major part of Casemiro’s game.

On paper, a midfield two of Tchouameni and Mainoo looks to tick a lot of boxes. The Frenchman brings World Cup and Champions League-winning experience, as well as a game that looks like a good fit for the Premier League. It might well be United’s dream pairing next season. Making it happen will be easier said than done.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.