Chelsea has confirmed the hiring of Liam Rosenior as their new head coach on a five-and-a-half-year contract. Rosenior previously managed Hull City and Derby County before taking the role at Strasbourg, where he was head coach since July 2024, leading the team to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 last season. Despite a 1-1 draw with Nice on Saturday, which marked his fifth winless league game, Strasbourg currently stands seventh in the standings and leads their conference league group.
Rosenior succeeds Enzo Maresca, who departed Chelsea on January 1. Chelsea recently salvaged a draw against Manchester City thanks to Enzo Fernandes’ late equalizer, positioning the team at fifth in the Premier League. Maresca’s refusal to acknowledge potential internal issues alongside just one win in their last seven games ultimately led to his exit.
“I am incredibly honored to take on the role of head coach at Chelsea Football Club, a club rich in history and tradition,” Rosenior stated. He emphasized his commitment to fostering a team that embodies Chelsea’s values. Shortly before his transition was announced, he held a farewell press conference in France, expressing his profound connection to Strasbourg and confirming a verbal agreement to join Chelsea.
Despite interest from other Champions League clubs, Rosenior made it clear that the opportunity to manage Chelsea was one he could not pass up. He recognized the invaluable contribution of his staff, including Khalifa Cissé and Justin Walker, who will be accompanying him to London.
Strasbourg fans have expressed discontent regarding the club’s ties to Chelsea under the multi-club ownership model of BlueCo, prompting protests against the situation. Following Rosenior’s move, the Federation Supporters RCS issued a statement describing it as a “humiliating step” for the club.
Chelsea’s next fixture will be against Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Fan Take: This appointment marks a significant moment for Chelsea fans, elevating excitement around the club’s potential for rejuvenation. As Rosenior seeks to redefine Chelsea’s identity, his fresh approach could influence the broader landscape of soccer, especially amidst ongoing debates about the multi-club ownership model in European football.
