Chelsea WON'T have to pay full value of Rosenior's six-and-a-half-year deal

Chelsea are set to avoid paying a large compensation package to Liam Rosenior following his sacking.

Rosenior was dismissed on Wednesday after less than four months in charge of the Blues.

The Chelsea hierarchy acted after a run of five consecutive league defeats without scoring, the club's worst run of form since 1912.

Reports had emerged on Wednesday that the Blues faced paying a sizeable compensation package to the 41-year-old, owing to the length of his contract.

Rosenior had signed a deal until 2032 after succeeding Enzo Maresca as head coach in January.

Chelsea are not expected to have to pay up Rosenior's full deal with a break clause having been included in his contract.

Avoiding a large pay-off would be important for the Blues, after the club disclosed last month that it had recorded a Premier League-record loss of £262.4million last season.

Chelsea, however, look set to suffer the financial blow of missing out on qualification for next season's Champions League.

Their hopes suffered a major blow with the 3-0 defeat by Brighton on Tuesday, which proved Rosenior's final match in charge.

The Blues slipped to seventh in the table as a result, seven points shy of fifth placed Liverpool, while Brighton leapfrogged them into sixth.

Sixth could yet be enough to earn Champions League qualification, but it would be dependent on Aston Villa winning the Europa League and finishing fifth.

This scenario would see Aston Villa qualify as Europa League holders, while an additional European Performance Spot awarded to English clubs would drop down from the fifth place side to the sixth team.

Chelsea had cited recent performances and results as the key factor for parting ways with Rosenior on Wednesday, with the club hoping to salvage European qualification and progress in the FA Cup.

‘Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Liam Rosenior,' a club statement read.

'On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, we would like to place on record our gratitude to Liam and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the Club.

‘Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment mid-way 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. Everyone at Chelsea FC wishes Liam every success in the future.

‘Calum McFarlane will take charge of the team as Interim Head Coach until the end of the season with support from existing Club backroom staff, as we strive to achieve European qualification and progress in the FA Cup.

‘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.’

McFarlane will take charge when Chelsea take on Leeds in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley on Sunday.