Davies makes Rosenior prediction after Chelsea axe but doubts Derby reunion

Rosenior paid the price for Chelsea's dreadful form yesterday with the club confirming they were parting company in the aftermath of their 3-0 defeat to Brighton on Tuesday night.

Having lost five straight league games, Chelsea's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League are in disarray and they now have the task of finding a successor for Rosenior who lasted just three months in charge.

Davies, who played under Rosenior during his time as Rooney's assistant and when he became interim head coach at Derby, said while the form meant his job was under threat, not being given a long-term opportunity was "telling".

"I think the decision to part ways with Liam Rosenior says more about Chelsea than it does about him," said Davies.

"They had a manager who had won the Club World Cup, but he seemed to have issues with the board and ultimately sabotaged himself, leading to his dismissal.

"After that, Chelsea made what I see as a smart decision by appointing someone who was already known to them in Liam. He was tried and tested within their sister club Strasbourg, he's someone they were familiar with, someone whose work they had been following closely through regular conversations. They understood him as a person and as a coach.

"But in any era of Premier League management, especially at Chelsea, if a manager loses six games without scoring, you could argue that a sacking is inevitable. However, the fact that they initially backed him and presented him as their long-term choice, only to dismiss him before even giving him until next season, is telling.

"It will be interesting to see who is now willing to take the job. I still do not think it will be a top-level, X-factor manager of the kind Chelsea would have gone for in the past."

Rosenior is highly-regarded as a coach due to his work at Derby and then at Hull City where he took them to the brink of the Championship play-offs before he was sacked for not making the top six.

He then left for Strasbourg, Chelsea's sister club, where he did a phenomenal job that led to the Blues' hierarchy offering him the role at Stamford Bridge after Enzo Maresca left.

Rosenior has also worked as Rooney's right-hand man at Derby but doubts they will be working together anytime soon given how their careers have panned out since leaving Pride Park.

"In terms of the Rooney and Rosenior 'dream team' getting back together, I am not really convinced," he told AceOdds.

"It sounds good in theory, but in reality it feels unlikely. Wayne Rooney has spoken about possibly going back into coaching in a different capacity, maybe learning more, shadowing someone, or even working as an assistant to develop his skills further. That is an interesting idea, but it suggests he is still figuring out his next step.

"At the same time, I cannot really see Liam going in as a number two now. Once a coach has had the experience of being the main manager, it is very difficult to step back into an assistant role, unless it is at a truly elite club, something like FC Bayern Munich or another top-level side.

"There is also the personality factor. Rooney is a big character and would naturally want things done his way. That can work, but it also makes partnerships more complicated, especially when both individuals have strong ideas and leadership styles.

"It did work before at Derby in certain circumstances, particularly when dealing with young players and navigating a difficult situation. However, that was more of a survival scenario. Operating in a high-pressure environment where you are trying to stabilise a club is very different from building a team to win promotion.

"So while the idea has some appeal on paper, it feels less realistic now. Liam has already had a taste of leading a team, and Rooney is currently more involved in media work, which makes that combination even less likely at this stage."