(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Tue 14 April 2026 18:15, UK

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Liam Rosenior is having to deal with a “toxic” dressing room atmosphere at Chelsea as calls for his dismissal continue to grow louder.

The 41-year-old was highly regarded for his man-management skills at Hull City, but has quickly found out working at Chelsea is an entirely different challenge.

Following a heavy 3-0 defeat against Man City last time out, pressure has piled on the manager’s position once again, and failure to turn things around could see him dismissed.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Chelsea’s influential players will likely play a key role in the manager’s future.

If Rosenior cannot get a hold over his players, Chelsea could look for a new manager sooner than expected, with concerns now growing behind the scenes.

Why is Liam Rosenior facing dressing room issues already?

Brown warned Football Insider last month that Chelsea stars could throw Rosenior under the bus and getting them on his side will be key to his long-term future.

A number of influential stars behind the scenes, notably including Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella, have recently spoken out against the club’s change in managers.

Enzo Maresca had built a lot of support behind the scenes, which Rosenior has so far struggled to match, and there are concerns his players could soon turn.

“Liam Rosenior is already under a lot of pressure,” Brown told Football Insider.

“The word is from people I speak to is that he was very highly-regarded at Hull for his man-management style and the way he ran things behind the scenes.

“But he’s moved to Chelsea now and quickly found out it’s a different kettle of fish.

“His experience at Strasbourg helped to enhance his reputation and work with higher-level players, but again, it doesn’t replicate what you get at Chelsea.

“I’ve spoken to people about the way things work there a few times, and they have some very good players, but I wouldn’t trust them as far as I could throw them.

“It’s starting to get a bit toxic now with players speaking out against the club and results aren’t going their way, so then unhappiness starts to build.

“When the pressure comes on, as we saw against Man City, they can switch off and when players start doing that, it puts the manager in trouble.

“That will be the key to Rosenior’s future there, whether he can get these players on his side, but it feels a bit like he’s fighting a losing battle and it’s not easy to put things right.”

When could Chelsea sack Rosenior?

Despite the ongoing calls for his head, Chelsea have no plans for a change of manager, but a lot will depend on what happens between now and the end of the season.

Football Insider revealed on 10 April that Rosenior has the backing of the Chelsea board as things stand, and they remain keen to stick by their manager.

Given the number of clubs set to be looking for a new boss come the summer, the Blues are keen not to have to make another change so soon after their last.

However, there is a feeling that if results don’t improve between now and the end of the season, they may be forced into a decision regardless of their current intentions.

Champions League qualification through finishing in fifth place or higher is the priority between now and the end of the season as Rosenior seeks to ease the pressure.