Former Nigerian international, John Mikel Obi, has questioned the connection between sacked Liam Rosenior and Chelsea FC, suggesting the former manager never truly aligned with the club’s culture.
Rosenior was dismissed on Wednesday after Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in Tuesday’s Premier League clash, a result that significantly weakened their hopes of securing a Champions League spot.
Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner criticised Rosenior’s approach, claiming the manager often came across as overly intellectual and failed to communicate authentically with his players, a factor he believes may have contributed to the team’s struggles and lack of identity.
“He looks like he’s faking everything, but that’s what I said. From the very first minute I listened to him in a press conference, I said it, there is something about the guy that I do not like,” Mikel Obi said.
“Take away his coaching ability or anything, the only way somebody can be successful and get the right message across is for your players to believe your message, your philosophy, the way you want things to be done is by being authentic and by being who you are.
“By sending the right message and not sugarcoating things and not trying to be overly intellectual. Just say it how it is. Be natural, relax, and be yourself. Speak normally, calmly, and express yourself in an authentic way, in the right manner. Don’t try to be something you’re not. It just doesn’t work, and that’s what I see.
“When I say week in, week out there is something about him that doesn’t connect with the football club, I still don’t see that connection. It doesn’t sit well with me and a lot of people. People don’t see it working out.”
