Liam Rosenior slammed Chelsea players’ “indefensible,” “unacceptable” and “unprofessional” performance in two interviews following the 3-0 defeat at Brighton.
The Blues suffered a disastrous defeat from start to finish, falling behind with Ferdi Kadioglu’s opening goal from a corner kick in the third minute, but second-half goals from Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck sealed victory for the Seagulls.
Chelsea failed to get a shot on target and didn’t even make a tackle until the 32nd minute, a new season low, leading to head coach Liam Rosenior being sacked in the face of chants from the away side.
A frustrated and unimpressed Rosenior doubled down on his criticism of the players in the post-match press conference, holding back in his post-match interview with Sky Sports’ Johnny Phillips. Read every word below…
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Brighton and Chelsea
Was it the worst outcome?
“By far. By far. Every aspect of the game was unacceptable. I came out and continued to protect my players, but that was inexcusable, that performance tonight. The way we conceded the goals, the games we lost. Something has to change dramatically here now.”
Why did this happen?
“Why? You need to look in the mirror. You need to look in the mirror. But you can’t come out here and keep defending some of the things you see. Manchester United, we didn’t really get the result, but we felt we had turned a corner.”
“But there was a general lack of attitude, a lack of spirit. There was a lack of determination from three or four of the starting 11. This club can’t come close. I can’t go out there and lie. I’ll tell you the truth. That was an unacceptable performance on every level.”
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Liam Rosenior joins players in apologizing to fans after Chelsea’s fifth straight Premier League defeat to Brighton
Were you here from the beginning?
“The first goal was terrible. We had an easy header, but we missed the header. We were even more upset with the pass in front of the first goal. We showed moral courage, won the ball and had four or five hours to play. We kicked the ball back to Brighton.
“I can talk about the lack of confidence and the results not going my way. That’s not what I want to see and I never will see it again.
“The professional performance was not there. It was a really, really difficult night, even for this great football club, but it was the most difficult night of my career. Some of the things I witnessed today are things I never want to see again.”
Have the players thrown in the towel?
“You have to ask the players. If you play for this elite football club, or any other football club, you cannot even tolerate being accused of throwing in the towel. That’s all I have to say. I’m hurt and numb. It doesn’t represent me. It doesn’t represent the football club in any way. That has to change from Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final.”
Regarding Chelsea’s poor performance in all league games this season…
“I don’t want to go into it right now. I have my own thoughts, my own feelings. I’ve had thorough discussions about this football club and what needs to happen for this football club to be where it needs to be, regardless of who is the manager.
“This is about this football club. Chelsea stands for fight, spirit and determination. That was missing in every department tonight.”
If the cause is an injury…
“We had injuries. That’s not an excuse, it’s reality. The team we played today was much better than our involvement in the game. I’m going to pick a team that represents the club in the right way.”
If Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds is going to be a massive one…
“It was an important game, but we didn’t hit it close to the mark. Every game from now until the end of the season is important and we need to look like that.”
When players lose confidence…
“That’s your opinion. You’ll have to go over it with your staff. We’ve got to make sure we’re in the right place for Sunday.”
Regarding fans calling for him to leave the club…
“I understand their frustration and that’s my job as the head coach and manager of the football club. The responsibility is on me.”
“I have thick skin and I understand why the fans are frustrated. I’m frustrated with the performance that we’re having. I have to continue to work hard with the staff, with the players, but what I have to do is look at the way the game is going, the staff in the team. They are the ones I can trust and rely on in difficult moments because not enough players showed that in today’s game.”
“I’m an emotional person. That’s totally unacceptable. I don’t accept that word.
“We lost 80 percent of our duels. We didn’t win with headers. Two of our goals come when we can head, which is the basics of football. You can’t win soccer games at any level if you make these mistakes and don’t get involved.”
As for whether he lost the Chelsea dressing room…
“Whether it’s a play for me, it’s not a play for me.
“It’s about playing for the club. It’s about playing for the uniform. It’s about playing to win football games. I can only talk about what I saw tonight. I don’t care what you read into it, whether they were playing for me or not. That performance itself was terrible.”
“It went against everything I believe.
“We’ll see (if the players react). I’ve never criticized them before.
“I protected them and they deserved it.
“I always come here and tell the truth and I also blame myself. I don’t just blame the players. I’m part of the process.”
“I’ve always said I’m going to be honest, and I’m going to be honest with my players, and I’m going to be as honest as I can with you guys. I’m not going to throw anyone under the bus.
“We play for Chelsea and I’m the manager of Chelsea. There’s always criticism and pressure in a football club. So if you can’t handle that, you shouldn’t be here. It’s very simple. And that’s what we need to deal with this week, but we also need to deal with it in the long term.”
