Chelsea sack boss Liam Rosenior amid historic losing run - ESPN

Chelsea have sacked head coach Liam Rosenior following the club's damaging 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Tuesday.

The Club World Cup winners have lost five consecutive league games without scoring a goal for the first time since 1912 and the club's bosses have decided to make their second coaching change this 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,» Chelsea said in a statement. «Everyone at Chelsea FC wishes Liam every success in the future.»

Chelsea added that Calum McFarlane, previously head coach of the club's under-21 team, will take charge of the first team as interim head coach until the end of the season.

«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,» the statement added.

Rosenior joined the club in January — replacing Enzo Maresca — from Chelsea's partner club Strasbourg and signed a 5½-year deal.

There has been growing unrest at and around Chelsea in recent months with fans protesting against owners BlueCo, which also owns Strasbourg as part of its multi-club ownership model.

A protest against BlueCo's ownership of the club took place before last weekend's home defeat to Manchester United, while Rosenior was abused by some away fans as the Blues produced an insipid display at Brighton on Tuesday.

Chelsea had been keen to retain Rosenior regardless of whether they reached next season's Champions League but have become concerned by the recent downturn in results and increasing unrest among supporters.

Sources earlier told ESPN that Chelsea's hierarchy was