Chelsea have dismissed head coach Liam Rosenior after just 106 days in charge, bringing a swift end to his short-lived spell at Stamford Bridge.

Rosenior had signed a five-and-a-half-year contract following his arrival from French side Strasbourg, a club also owned by Chelsea’s co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. However, his tenure yielded only 11 wins from 23 matches in all competitions.

The final blow came on Tuesday night, when a 3-0 defeat at Brighton marked Chelsea’s fifth consecutive league loss without scoring—the club’s worst goal drought since 1912. Speaking after the match, Rosenior labelled the performance “indefensible” and “unacceptable,” as travelling supporters voiced their frustration.

The result left Chelsea seventh in the Premier League, seven points adrift of Liverpool in fifth, and the final Champions League qualification spot.

In a statement, the club said: “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, with still so much more to play for this season.”

Attention now turns to potential successors. Sources indicate that Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, Fulham head coach Marco Silva, and former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic are among those under consideration. Iraola recently confirmed he will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, while Silva’s contract at Fulham expires in July. Terzic, meanwhile, had been linked with Tottenham earlier this campaign.

Assistant coach Calum McFarlane will step in as interim manager until the end of the season. He previously oversaw a 1-1 draw with Manchester City and a defeat at Fulham in January following the dismissal of former boss Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea added: “As the club works to bring stability to the head coach position, we will undertake a process of self-reflection to make the right long-term appointment.”

During his brief tenure, Rosenior won five of his 13 Premier League matches and guided the Blues to the FA Cup semi-finals, securing four victories against lower-league opposition.

McFarlane’s first match in charge will be a crucial one, as Chelsea face Leeds United at Wembley on Sunday, with a place in the FA Cup final at stake.