I told Chelsea I’d become their manager – but I knew I’d be a lame duck straight away

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I told Chelsea I’d become their manager – but I knew I’d be a lame duck straight away

Chelsea are searching for a new manager following the sacking of Liam Rosenior, and former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has previously turned down the Blues' managerial role

CommentsChelseaAmie Wilson Sports Live Writer06:15, 28 Apr 2026

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Chelsea are currently searching for a new manager after parting company with Liam Rosenior last week. The Blues opted to dismiss the manager in the wake of a 3-0 defeat to Brighton.

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Calum McFarlane has assumed interim control of the team until the conclusion of the season, while the hunt for Rosenior's permanent replacement is now underway. A number of candidates have already been touted for the position, including Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola and former midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

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By now, Chelsea ought to be well-versed in the process of recruiting a new manager, considering the frequency of changes in the dugout in recent years. Former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has previously disclosed that he declined the opportunity to take charge at Stamford Bridge.

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The Blues made an approach to the German following Frank Lampard's departure in January 2021. Speaking to The Times just a month afterwards, Rangnick confirmed discussions with Chelsea regarding the role, though there was one significant obstacle.

"I said, 'I would love to come and work with you, but I cannot do it for four months," he said. "I am not an interim coach.' To the media and players you would be the 'four-month manager', a lame duck, from day one."

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After he turned down the position, Chelsea appointed now England manager, Thomas Tuchel, who proceeded to lift the Champions League trophy just months into his tenure. "Thomas is tactically on a very sophisticated level," Rangnick said.

"[His assistant] Zsolt Low was my player and assistant coach at Leipzig and plays a vital role in his staff. And you can see from the way he interacts with players, Thomas also has great leadership skills.

"I can only congratulate Thomas and Chelsea for the choice."

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Tuchel departed in 2022 and was succeeded by Graham Potter. Since then, Chelsea have cycled through Lampard (interim), Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Rosenior in the dugout.

Less than a year after revealing he had snubbed the Chelsea role, Rangnick accepted the interim position at Manchester United.

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Across his 29 matches at the helm, United claimed eleven victories, drew 9 and suffered 9 defeats, before he was replaced by Erik ten Hag.

The 67-year-old currently serves as manager of the Austrian national side. He will guide the nation at this summer's World Cup, where they are set to face Jordan, Argentina and Algeria in their Group J fixtures.

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