Former Chelsea left-back Filipe Luis is in contention to become the club's next head coach, just weeks after he was surprisingly sacked by Flamengo following an emphatic 8-0 victory. The west London club are on the hunt for their fourth permanent manager in less than four months after Liam Rosenior was dismissed on Wednesday.
Rosenior's Brief Tenure Ends
Rosenior, 41, was appointed as Chelsea's head coach on January 8, stepping in after caretaker boss Callum McFarlane had overseen two matches following Enzo Maresca's exit on New Year's Day. Despite a promising start at Stamford Bridge, Rosenior's reign was cut short after a humbling 3-0 defeat at Brighton. That loss extended Chelsea's losing streak in the Premier League to five matches, dropping them to seventh place and leaving them seven points behind fifth-placed Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.
McFarlane Returns as Interim
While the Blues have reappointed McFarlane as interim head coach until the end of the season, the club are actively seeking a permanent successor. Luis has emerged as one of the bookmakers' favourites for the role.
Departing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is considered a leading contender, but Luis is high among the odds alongside his former Chelsea teammate Cesc Fabregas, who is impressing at Serie A side Como. Other names in the frame include Edin Terzic, Marco Silva, and Diego Simeone, while Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, now at Coventry City, and Jose Mourinho are seen as outside shots.
Luis's Chelsea Past and Coaching Rise
Luis, 40, spent one season at Chelsea, helping the Blues win the League Cup and Premier League title. The Brazilian joined from Atletico Madrid for £15.7 million in July 2014, making 26 appearances under Mourinho before returning to Atletico the following summer. He later moved back to Brazil, finishing his playing career at Flamengo.
After retiring in December 2023, Luis immediately transitioned into coaching at Flamengo, working in the academy before being appointed first-team head coach. He enjoyed a memorable 18 months in charge, winning the Copa do Brasil and Copa Libertadores. However, on March 3, Flamengo surprisingly sacked him despite an 8-0 win over Madureira in the Campeonato Carioca semi-final.
Few could believe the decision, given Luis's impressive 63.4% win rate—64 victories in 101 matches. In 2025, he also won the South American Coach of the Year award. Now out of work, Luis could be the man Chelsea turn to as they plan for the 2026/27 season.
